
Class 7?C ££ 

Book ,S 6^ _ 




^%'<fe^ 



<Z^C2- 



American physician. 



AN I 

FAVlIIiV ASSISTANT : 



T'f-J?* 



IN FIVE PARTS. 

CONTAINING \ M 

i. s*~-^J?* 

A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF VEGETABLE MEDICINES 

THE MANNER OF PREPARING THEM FOR USE. 

III. •'•^W-*^?^^ A 

DESCRIPTION OF DISEASES, AND MANNER OF CURING 

THEM. y^yC^ 

IV. ^— 

A DESCRIPTION OF MINERAL AND VEGETABLE POISONS- 
GIVEN BY THOSE CALLED REGULAR DOCTORS, 
UNDER THE NAME OF MEDICINES. 

V 

HEALTH VARIOUSLY ILLUSTRATED. 



By JP1LBAS SMITH, 

PHYSICIAN. 



u They that be whole need not a physician, but they 
thnt are sick" — Matt. ix. 12. 

FOURTH EDITION 



BOSTON: 

B, THUE, PR. WATKR iTB*»T 

1837. 









(CpEntered according to Act of Congress, in the year 
1837, in the Clerks Office of the District Court of the 
District of Massachusetts. 



3 £JjT 



/ 



MA-BEX. 

Page. 

Abortion, 138 

Ague in the Face, ..... 141, 

Anthony's St. Fire, 142 

Appetite, ----.-, 145 

Asthma, - - - 146 

Apoplexy, ..... - 143 

Arsenic, ..-.--. 215 

Antimony, - - - - - - 217 

B. 

Barberry, ....... 66 

Bayberry, ......... 48 

Bearing Down, - - - - - - 148 

Bitter Root, 67 

Bitter Sweet, 81 

Bites and Stings, -.-..„ 149 

Blisters, Bleeding, Seatons and Issues, - - 137 

Blood, Spitting, &c. - - - - - 150 

Biles, - 151 

Breasts Inflamed, 151 

Burdock, ....... 78 

Black Birch, 78 

Bugle, or Arch Angel, - - - - - 94 

Boerhaave, ■ • - 243 

Bitters, Vegetable, ..... 108 

Bitters, Wine, 132 

C. 

Cancer, - * - - - • - 152 

Canker, ....... 155 

Catarrh, - 156 

Chicken Pox, ....... 157 

Chilblains, 157 

Childbirth, - 158 

Cholera Morbus, 159 

Cold, ....... 162 

Cough, - 162 

Cucumbers, - -- - - - -j97 

Croup, - . 167 

Cholic, ----... 163 

Consumption, * - - - - 164 

2 



IT 

Convulsion*, - - . . . . j^g 

Cephalic Snuff, 13^ 

Cramp - - - . . . „ -367 

Chocolate Root, 75 

Cherry Stones, 73 

Chamomile, - - gg 

Chicken .Pox, .... . . ^57 

Cayenne, American, 34 

Cayenne, West India, « . . . „ 35 

Clever, Red, ----.. - 70 

Cancer Plaster, «... . « j]4 

Cough Powder, - - - . . . j 14 

Cordials, ---.-.. 125 

Calomel, - - - . . . . 221 

Cough Drops, - - - . . . U5 

Cou^h Syrup, jjg 

Cathartic Compound, • - - . . 329 
Cathartic Drops, • - . « . -129 

Canker Cordial, - - - . . . 133 

Cordial, Wine, -...,. 233 

Cordial, Bilious, ---..., I34 

Consultation of Physicians, • ^ . 267 

Curious Medical Law, - - . . ■ » 268 

B. 

Dance, St. Vitus, - - . . . 1(59 

Deafness, 170 

Diarrhoea, - - .. . . „ j-^q 

Dropsy, . 171 

Dysentery, or Bloody Flux, - . . -173 

Dyspepsia, - - . . . .. . 173 

Drops, Nerve, ...... 13Q 

Drops, Pulmonary, - - *.•'"- - 132 

B, 

Epilepsy, 175 

Emetics, . 98 

Emetic, No. 1, 101 

Emetic, No. 2, or Liquid Emetic, . 104 
Emetic, use of, No. 2, ... .105 

Emetic, No. 3, 105 

Eye Water, - 111 

Elm, qs 

Extract from J. Wesley, * 254 



F. 

Fever, ..-....--- 176 

Fever and Ague, - - ' • - - - 179 

Fluor Albus, ...... 180 

G . 

Gout, . - 180 

Garden Rue, - - - . « - =87 

Gum Myrrh, - 84 

Galenic Medicine, - 248 

Gravel, ------- 204 

Grains of Paradise, - - - - - 269 

Golden Seal, - - - - - - 270 

Head Ache, - - - - - - - 181 

Heart Burn, - - 181 

Hiccup, .-..-'--. 182 

Hydrophobia, ..„,-, 182 

Hemlock Bark, - 33 

flops, -.-..... 82 

Hoarhound, - - 88 

Hysterics, ....... 184 

Health, ------- 253 

I. 

Introduction - - . - - . J3 

Itch, -'---.„.. 185 

Injections or Clysters 118 

Itch Ointment, - - - . . , 120 

J. 

Jaundice, - - - - - ,= 384 

Juniper Bush, ...... 83 

Jackson's Farewell Address, - 275 

Liver Inflamed, - - -' . . , 186 

Lock Jaw, -- = .„_. Ig7 

Lovage, --....„ 95 

List of Diseases, - oqj 

M. 

Man a Subject of Disease, - - . . 19 



Measles, 188 

Menses, Obstructed, - - - - - 190 

Mullen Leaves, &c. - 79 

Marshmallows, - - - - - -.. '- 96 

Metalic Medicine or Poison, - 220 

Mercury, 213 

Myrrh, Gum, - ° 84 

Medical Lectures, 246 

Monstrous Little Physic, - 260 

N. 

Nipples Sore, &c. - - « - - 191 

P. 

Prices of Medicine, ..... 8 

Palpitation of the Heart, - - - - 191 

Palsy, or Paralysis, ----- 192 

Phrensy, 193 

Piles, - - - - - - - - 194 

Pimples, ------- 195 

Plant of Renown, or Lobelia, - - -. 49 

Plurisy, - - ... - , 196 

Pennyroyal, - - - - - - 74 

Peach Leaves, &c. - - - - 75 

Poplar Bark, 75 

Plantain, ------- 90 

Poultices, - ... 120 

Pills, - - - 123 

Peppermint, ------- 7,$ 

Poison, - - -196 

Poison Illustrated, - 236 

Q 

Quacks and Quackery, 234 

Quinsy, - 197 

R. 

Raspberry Leaves - 77 

Rheumatism, - - - - - - 198 

Rickets, - 199 

Ringworm, see Tetters, - - 

Rees Confession, Dr. - * ■ - - - 233 

Regimen of Health, Ac. - - - - - 258 

Regulars, ... - . . . 268 



VJl 

»'. 

Strains , » - - - -■--.- 205 

Scalds, or Burns, - ----- 201 

Scrofula, or King's Evil, . - - 201 

Scurvy - - - ----- 202 

Small Pox, - - - - - - - 203 

Stranxruary, - 205 

Salvef - - - - . - - - - 113 

Skunk Cabbage, - - - - - - 71 

Sumac, - - - - - --77 

Spearmint, - - -.- - - - 86 

Steaming, - - - - 135 

Saffron, 95 

Salt Petre, 218 

Soda, - - . - - 244 

Swine Pox, - - - 197 

Stone, or Gravel, - - 204 

Self Examining Society, - - - 263 

T. 

Tetters, 205 

■Tooth-Ache, 206 

Tapeworm, - - - - - - 207 

Thoroughwort, - - - 92 

Tansy, ------- 87 

Tarter Emetic, 223 

V. 

Vegetable Ointment, - - - - - 110 

Vegetable Syrup for Dysentery, - - - 117 

Vegetable Cough Powder, - - - - 114 

Vegetable Elixir, 109 

Vegetable Powders, - - - - - 107 

Velerian, or Nerve Powder, - - - - 65 

Vomiting, - - - - - - ■■ - 206 

Volatile Salts, - 117 

Vegetable Bitters, 108 

Venereal Disease, 271 

W. 

Warts, ... - - 206 

Witch Hazle, 92 

Worms, ------ - 206 

Wormwood, -------- 82 



PRICES Of MEDICINES, 

PREPARED BY ELIAS SMITH, AND KEPT CONSTANT- 
LY FOR SALE AT NO. 140 HANOVER 
STREET, BOSTON, 

Elixir, per Bottle - 

" half do. 
Botanic Ointment, per Bottle 

do half do. 
Restorative, per Bottle 
half do. 

" quarter do. 

Peach Cordial per Bottle 

« « half do. 

" 4< quarter do. 

W. I. Cayenne, per Bottle 
per lb. 

" u per qr. 

'* '■* per oz. 

Green Emetic, per lb. 

*' " per qr. 

44 " per oz. 

Nerve powder, per lb. 

'* " per qr. 

( * " per oz. 

Bitter Root, per lb. 

" " per qr. 

," '* per oz. 

Elm, superfine, per lb. 

" ground per lb. 
African Cayenne, per lb. 

" " per oz. 

Vegetable Powders, per lb. 

" '* per qr. 

*"« ll per oz. 



$1 GO 


50 


2 00 


1 00 


1 00 


50 


33 


1 00 


50 


33 


75 


I 00 


371 


121 


1 25 


37£ 


12£ 


I 25 


37£ 


121 


1 50 


37£ 


121 


75 


40 


1 00 


m 


1 33 


37^ 


12j 



Bayberry Bark, per lb pulverized - 51) 

peroz, ■ - - 6 J 

Hemlock Bark, per lb. do. - - 40 

Gum Myrrh, per lb. - 80 

Cough powders per oz. - - 20 

Cough Drops per oz. - 124- 

American Cayenne, per lb. - - 50 

" " per qr. 17 

per oz. - - 6£ 

Vegetable Pills, per hundred - - 40 

per box - - 50 

Emetic Seed, per lb. - - - 2 00 

" pulverized ... 2 50 

Wine Cordial, per Bottle - - 1 00 

Bitters, per Bottle - - 50 

Acid Cough Mixture, per oz. * - • 6 J 

Cathartic Drops, per oz. - - 10 

Nerve drops, per oz. - - - 10 

Syringes, each - 1 00 

Rheubarb, per lb. - - 1 00 

Vegetable Ointment, per bottle - - 1 50 

Pectoral Emulsion, per oz. - - 10 

Dysentery Syrup, per Bottle - - 1 00 

per half Bottle - 50 

Eye Water, per oz. - - - 12£ 

Hygiean Powders, per lb. - - - 1 50 



VEGETABLE MEDICINES. 

Prepared by Dr. Elias Smith. 
The following are among the many preparations 
kept constantly for sale at No. 140 Hanover street, 
Boston. 

Vegetable Elixir — Excellent for pain in the 
stomach and bowels, and Rheumatic complaints. 
Pills for head-ache, bilious complaints, costive- 
4 



ness, dyspepsia, and difficulties in the stomach and 
liver. 

Vegetable Powders — Useful for a cold and foul 
stomach, violent colds, cough, sore throat, and to 
relieve from threatened fevers. 

Vegetable Bitters — -for jaundice, loss of appetite, 
sickness in the stomach, head-ache, &,c. 

Botanic Ointment — A certain cure for humors, 
corns, stiff joints, shrunk cords, stiffness in the 
neck, rheumatic complaints, swelling in the throat, 
chilblains, chapped hands, weakness and pain in 
the back, sores, ringworms, cuts and burns. 

Olive Ointment— Y ery useful for salt rheum, as 
many can testify. 

Health Restorative — Excellent to remove ob- 
structions in the kidneys, for stranguary, diabetes, 
and various female complaints. 

Cough Powders — -Good for hooping cough, and 
ulcers in the throat. 

Cathartic Drops — Excellent for indigestion, 
liver complaints, stranguary, obstructions in the 
kidneys, and a certain cure for costiveness. 

Panacea Pills — Good in various kinds of fe- 
male complaints. 

Sweating Poivders — Always useful in the first 
stages of cold, or fever, good to promote digestion, 
remove obstructions, and give tone and vigor to the 
whole system. 

Hygiean Compound — Designed for head-ache, 
foul stomach, jaundice, loss of appetite, fever in 
the first stages of it, costiveness, cold hands and 
feet, female complaints generally. 

Emetic Powders — A certain cure for the fever 
in the first stages of it ; pain in the head, back„ 
and limbs. 

Worm Powders — Useful for children troubled 
with worms, 



XI 



Dispepsia Bitters— Good for indigestion, loss 
of appetite, pain in the stomach and bowels, faint- 
ness, and all kinds of bilious complaints.' 

Wine Bitters — Excellent for removing wind 
and pain in the stomach and bowels, for removing 
faintness, and langor, particularly in hot weather. 

Golden Cordial— Good, to warm the throat, 
stomach and bowels, to remove pain, and warm 
the whole system. 

Peach Cordial — Designed to increase the ap- 
petite, help the digestion, and to cause an har- 
monious action in the body generally. 

Panacea — This is good in all common com- 
plaints, such as dispepsia, liver complaints, colds, 
coughs, shortness of breath, nervous complaints, 
diarrhoea, cholera, cramps, spasms, cholic, pain in 
the back, diabetus, jaundice, female obstructions, 
also, to prevent puking, or raising blood, and ma- 
ny internal complaints, peculiar to men, women 
and children. 

Cholera Cordial — -This is a superior prepara- 
tion for all complaints of the stomach, or bowels, 
called cholera morbus, diarrhoea, dysentary, relax, 
pain in the bowels, also for female complaints, 
such as fluor albus, flowing, bearing down pains, 
and every thing of the kind. It is a safe and use- 
ful medicine in all the above cases. 

Nerve Drops — designed to calm the whole, or 
any part of the system, and to restore the natural 
tone of the body. It produces easy and natural 
sleep, without the stupifying effects of opium, or 
laudanum. 

Dysentary Syrup — Good for dysentary or relax 
caused by coldness in the stomach or bowels. 

Vegetable Linament— An outward application, 
it is excellent for stiff joints callouses, corns, &x. 



XII 

In rheumatic cases, it gives great relief by bath-* 
ing the parts affected with it, night and morning. 

Itch Ointment — -A certain cure for that unpop- 
ular disease, as multitudes can testify. 

Vegetable Salve — -Good for sores, burns, bruis- 
es, or scalds. 

Catholicon — Useful in cases of dispepsia, jaun- 
dice, indigestion, fainting, consumptive com- 
plaints, and pulmonary complaints generally. 

Pectoral Emulsion — -Used to relieve a hard, dry 
distressing cough, to moisten the throat, and pass 
through the stomach and bowels, warming and 
softening as it passes along. 

Compound Tincture of lobelia — This is pecul- 
iarly useful for Children who are troubled with 
cold and foul stomachs, and costiveness. It ope- 
rates moderately to vomit the stomach, relieve cos- 
tiveness, and calm the whole system, and is per- 
fectly safe for old or young. 

Acid Cough Syrup— To be taken in cases of 
asthma, quincy, hooping cough, common colds 
and sore throat, swelling of the glands of the throat, 
dryness of the mouth and throat, canker in the 
throat and stomach, catarrh, or any difficulty in 
the throat caused by cold. 

Eye Water- — Good to remove canker from the 
eyelids, it removes the cold from the eyes when 
inflamed, easing pain, when perseveringly applied. 

Canker Wash — A certain cure for a certain dis- 
ease, if applied in season, according to the direc- 
tion which goes with it when sold. 

Solar Tincture — A certain cure in some female 
complaints, when all other remedies fail. 

Tooth Powder — Useful to cleanse the teeth and 
gams, and remove canker from all parts of the 
mouth. 



Xlll 

Tooth Wash — Good to warm and cleanse the 
mouth or canker, to take out a bad taste, and re- 
move soreness caused by canker, &c. 

Bathing Drops — This is very useful in cases of 
rheumatism, bathing the parts affected, for strains 
and stiffness in the neck, cords, colds, and sore- 
ness in the back and sides. 

Acid Bathing Drops — This is excellent to bathe 
with when the pores are shut up by cold, to open 
the pores, and assist the perspiration. 

Liquid Emetic — This is prepared to give imme- 
diate relief in cases of cramp, fits, lock-jaw, spasms, 
fainting, cholic, and violent pain in the stomach or 
bowels. 

Tincture of Lobelia — This is an emetic for very 
young children, in all cases of fits, pain in the 
bowels,and any internal difficulty peculiar to young 
children. 

ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED 

STATES OF AMERICA. 
Fellow Citizens, 

This fourth Edition of the " American Physi- 
cian and Family Assistant," is published with 
a desire that my fellow citizens may learn how to 
avoid the dangerous mineral and poisonous vege- 
tables, which are administered to the sick, under 
the name of medicines. This edition is greatly 
enlarged beyond the former editions, containing 
the greatest part of the articles prepared by me, for 
the sick and lame. 

There is in this, a description of nearly all the 
vegetable medicines needful for the sick, in dis- 
eases peculiar to our country. The manner of 
preparing them is given in language easy to be 
understood by men, women and children. A 



X1T 

plain description is given of diseases, sores, and 
the various difficulties where medicine is needed ; 
and the manner of applying inward or outward 
remedies. 

The various mineral and vegetable poisons us- 
ed, by those called " regular doctors" are impar- 
tially described, so far as the limits of this work 
would allow. The mineral preparations are also 
described from the medical works of the 4 * regu- 
lar doctors," with all the correctness in inv power 
to do, not meaning in the least to exaggerate, or 
misrepresent any one article. 

This has not been done from any prejudice 
against that order of men ; many of whom 1 high- 
ly esteem as men who wish well to their fellow 
citizens ; but while I esteem them, trutli oil 
me to be against their poisonous preparatt 
Paul said " We wrestle not against Jl< sh and blood, 
but against principalities and pov. mist the 

rulers of the darkness of this world, and against 
spiritual wickedness, in high places." Paul was 
not at war with mm, but principles injurious 
the communities. 

" Good will toward men," leads me to opp 
those things which benefit njtu\ to the great inju- 
ry of the many t who suffer greatly by taking t\ 
things which the Creator never designed for the 
benefit of the sick and lame. 

There is no doubt in my mind, that the time 
will come, when in the 4i Commonwealth of Mas- 
sachusetts" a law will be made, that all thil 
kept for the sick by the apothecaries, shall be dis- 
tinguished by the American language, instead of 
latin ; and that no apothecary shall be allowed to 
sell poiso?i for the sick, and that no physician shall 
be allowed to administer to the sick, any thing 
which medical writers have acknowledged is poi- 



KNI, What a wonder would be raided by n. 
women and children on entering an apothecary's 
shop, to find on the drawers — the word- quick- 
SJLVBJt, a deadly poison, good for the ^ick. A 
\i< . | most fatal poison, J?et one the best medi- 
cines in the cla-s oi tonics. A.\'iim-»n'« , H 

his kill the monk ! would any person of com- 
mon sense, dare take such thin o -. if they could 
lead them in their own Ian 1 think 

r spending over twenty years, in stu< 

medicines, and 
administering them to the sick, and making i 

r, mineral and vegetable 
applications, bj have 

1 have come to this that the earth 

j ields al .1 foi man —all the drink t 

all the clothing, and all tin wuA sdful tor 

all nations, I .ml long will so 

continue to do, is I >ng u the) an A l><>, 
that generally, I 
he made to pi"' 1 

in e . i) |ii c. 

My conclusion is, that it does not requin 
much skill to prep si i • for the 

squired to prepare theii clothing t drink 
! . Who saj b i hai females in not 

ible of preparis : uni- 

ties, so ol <f other things. vVhj isitn 

ne< • study snatomy to heal ih< ; ban 

to bring up children, to prepare theii own E 
through the whole of a shortt or long The 

': mti>t prepare food IbrthegTOWth I '! < \ cry part 

of tlie body, tins can he done without understand- 
ing anatomy. Daily observation proves thai in 

may understand enough to rt 

every part of the body, without ev( g a dead 

body cut in pieces 



XVi 

Believing that men and women are capable of 
understanding diseases and how to cure them in 
the first stages of sickness, I have prepared this 
small volume, for their benefit, that they may not 
be imposed on by such as lay in wait to deceive, 
for their own advantage. 

From all I have seen done for the sick with the 
various preparations published here, I am confi- 
dent of the following particulars. — 

1. Men generally, by reading and understand- 
ing the medicines here described, may so far be- 
come their own physicians, as to prepare medi- 
cines and in the first stages of disease, so apply 
them as to obtain a cure without the aid of any 
physician whatever ; and not be under the neces- 
sity of being poisoned by a regular doctor, under 
the name of taking such medicine (poison) as 
serve to increase instead of diminishing the dis- 
ease. 

2. By reading, and learning the use of these 
preparations, a young man of good natural abili- 
ties may soon be able to administer vegetable me- 
dicine, to the sick, with good success, without go- 
ing through the tedious course of medical lectures, 
to learn how to administer poison, to blister and 
bleed, and all those practices so injurious to man- 
kind. From three to six months spent with an 
experienced botanic physician, will enable a man 
to attend the sick, to their advantage in all com- 
mon cases. 

8. A foundation is laid in this book to establish 
an apothecary' s shop in every town, in the United 
States, where one is needed, to be kept by a botan- 
ic physician, who would be capable of preparing, 
and using what medicines were needed in all ca- 
ses where medicine is wanted. 

A physician is the only man suitable for an 



apothecary , and an apothecary the only man cap- 
able of being a physician. It is to me rediculous, 
that an apothecary should keep medicines for the 
sick, and not know the use of them ; and it is no 
more so that a physician, professedly skilled in 
medicines, should be obliged to send to the apoth- 
ecary for them when any one is sick. There 
must be some craft in all this. The doctor deals 
out only his visits and prescriptions, and the apo- 
thecary makes his profits from those who pay the 
doctor for his visits and prescriptions. 

How much better than this would the plan pro- 
posed in this book be for the sick, and for the 
physician. The medicines suitable for the people 
grow chiefly where the sick and the botanic phy- 
sician lives, and the land rich enough to bear food 
and clothing for its inhabitants, generally bears 
nearly all the medicines needed. The apotheca- 
ry can collect and prepare all needful for the sick, 
and as a physician, deal out, or administer medi- 
cine according to the wants of the sick. Let the 
experiment be tried, and the proof will be mani- 
fest to all who go according to these directions. 
I have tried this plan in Boston over nine years, 
and it has exceeded all I at first contemplated. 
For many years it appeared to me that this plan 
would answer an excellent purpose. When I first 
communicated my design to some of my most in- 
timate friends, their reply was, tc It will not do, 
you will involve yourself in trouble and loss only. 
The apothecaries in Boston are so established, that 
their influence, and that of their medicine, will so 
hold the people, that your vegetables, though good, 
will not very soon, if ever, go into such general 
use, as to make it an object for you to attend to 
all you propose." 



xvm 



Notwithstanding all this, my small knowledge 
of medicines, and various properties needful for 
this purpose ; I hired a shop in Hanover street, 
and began with my small stock, worth about fifty 
dollars — advertised myself as a physician and 
apothecaiy, put up the same on my sign ; and in- 
vited the sick and lame to apply for vegetable 
medicines without any kind of poison. This was 
like a grain of mustard seed, the least of all seed. 
I then supposed this was the only apothecary shop 
where only vegetable medicines were kept for the 
sick. 

In six months from the commencement, my 
friends advised me to continue, which has been 
done to this day [1837] and there is yet an in- 
creasing demand for such preparations as are here 
described. Vegetable medicines are coming into 
use in every State in the Union, and I have calls 
for medicines, which are carried to Europe, 
Asia, and Africa, to South America, and the 
Sandwich Islands. The former editions of the 
" American Physician" &,c. have been sold and 
gone with the medicines. 

The number of Botanic Physicians is continu- 
ally on the increase in almost every part of the 
United States. Young men and old are engaging 
in the business of collecting and preparing vege- 
tables and administering them to the sick and dis- 
tressed. 

Some may think me too severe on the mineral 
doctors, and that too much is said in the fourth 
part on poisons of various kinds. Were people as 
well acquainted with the awful consequences of 
these minerals, as I am, when given to the sick, 
they would be surprised to think any one could 
know their deadly effects, and not warn the com- 
munity more. 



AMERICAN PHYSICIAN, &c. 



MAN, AS A SUBJECT OF DISEASE AND MEDICINE. 

All men are composed of earth and water ; 
these are the solids ; the heat or fire gives motion 
to the man, earth and water are inactive, or 
dead. The air or fire is fluid and gives action to 
earth and water. 

The constitutions, or constituent parts of all 
men are the same, as all are composed of the 
same elements, and differ only in the temper of 
the same materials. 

All men have similar solids and fluids, which 
are comprised in the following ; — -fibres, mem- 
branes, arteries, veins, lympliceduct s, nerves, glands , 
excretory vessels, musles, tendons, ligaments, car- 
tilcges, and bones, to which may be added, the 
hair and nails. The fibres, as they appear to 
the naked eye, are simple threads of the minut- 
est blood vessels or nerves, or both. 

Membranes, are passages of fibres, expand- 
ed to cover, or line, any other part. 

Artertes, are tubes that arise from the ven- 
tricles of the heart, and thence dividing into 
branches, distribute the blood to every part of the 
body. 

Veins, are tubes to collect and return the 
blood from the extremities of the arteries to the 
heart. 

Lymph^educts are fine pellucid tubes, to carry 
lymph (water) from all. parts, especially the glands, 
5 



20 

which they discharge into the larger veins and in- 
to the vasa lactea, blood vessels. 

Nerves, are the immediate organs of sensation, 
which originate from the brain, and terminate in 
all the sensitive parts. 

A glend secretory, is composed of an artery, 
vein, lymphatic, excretory duct, and nerve. The 
use of glands is to secrete fluids from the blood 
for divers uses. 

Excretory vessels are either tubes from the 
glands to convey the secreted fluids to their re- 
spective places, or vessels from the small guts, to 
carry the chyle (the white juice formed in the 
stomach by digestion of food) tp the blood vessels. 

Muscles, are distinct portions of flesh, (or 
springs) which by contracting, perform the motions 
of the body. 

Tendons, are the same fibres of which the mus- 
cles are composed ; but more closely connected, 
that they may possess less space in a limb, and be 
inserted in less room into a bone. 

Ligaments, are strong membranes, or bodies 
of fibres closely united, either to bind down the 
tendons, or give origin to the muscles, or tie to- 
gether such bones as have motion. 

Cartilages, are hard elastic bodies, smooth 
and insensible ; their use is to cover the ends of 
the bones that have motion, to prevent their at- 
trition, &,c. 

Bones, are firm parts to sustain, and give shape 
to the body, &,c. &,c. 

When all this variety in man is in hnrmony 
(including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, &c.) or 
equally balanced, the man is well ; when any part 
is disordered, the man is more or less unwell. 

There are four things peculiar to a well man. 
1. A good digestion ; for if a man has no appetite, 



21 

or a craving voracious appetite, he cannot enjoy 
good health. 2. The body in all its parts free from 
obstructions, caused by cold er filth. 3. The cir- 
culation of the blood free, by being suitably warm- 
ed and cleansed. 4. The perspiration natural ; 
not sweating too much or none. A cold clammy, 
or gluey sweat, is an unfavorable symptom. 

Whenever either of these is lacking, the man is 
more or less unwell. 

That medicine which is best calculated to pro- 
mote digestion, remove obstructions from the dif- 
ferent parts of the body, make the circulation of 
the blood natural, and cause the perspiration to 
be regular, is the only medicine suitable for a sick 
man. 

As all men are made of what grows out of the earth, 
as to the solids, it is certain that nothing can re- 
store a sick man to health, but the medicine which 
grows from the same earth. Man is fed with 
what grows, is clothed with what grows, and if he is 
cured, when sick, his medicine must come from 
the same source. Here we see the impropriety of 
giving a sick man nitre, arsenic, mercury, antimo- 
ny, zinc, or any other mineral poison. Every 
kind of vegetable poison, such as opium, cicuta, 
foxglove, nightshade, apple pcru, is injurious, and 
more or less dangerous, whether taken inwardly 
or applied outwardly. 

Hippocrates said there was in every man a kind 
of immortality, which he called nature, or heat. 
This raised to a certain pitch, throws off the bad, 
and holds the good. This is truth, and on this de- 
pends the health of every man. This begins and 
continues all the motion or life of man, and when 
this fails, all life is gone. The man is then "cold 
as death." 



22 

I cannot in any other way so clearly give ray 
readers a general view of the human body as in 
the words of an ingenious English author, who has 
written a plain and concise description of man, 
which every one who wishes a knowledge of this 
subject, may read with pleasure and profit : and 
by it may see the impropriety of giving minerals 
to the sick, in the hope of relieving them. His 
words are these : — • 

" When the all-wise Creator determined on 
making beings which should be able to move 
from place to place, he contrived for them an or- 
ganization different from that of beings which were 
fixed. 

As moveable beings could not have their roots 
in the ground, he provided them with the cavity 
of the stomach, in which they were to carry about 
what should be equivalent to the soil for plants ; 
and the suckers of their nutriment centering into 
that cavity, were destined to act like the roots of 
plants in the soil. 

Hence, in all animals, exists the necessity of eat- 
ing frequently, to fill the cavity of the stomach ; 
hence the folly and mischief of filling it with hete- 
rogeneous and unnatural substances ; it being the 
object of nature simply to extract from the matter 
in the stomach a homogeneous milky substance 
called chyle ; no other juice but chyle being ad- 
mitted into the animal system, the rest being re- 
jected and expelled. 

As animals were intended to move about, the 
perfect are therefore provided with eyes, to see ob- 
jects which might endanger their safety, with ears 
to hear, for a similar reason ; with a voice to warn 
others, or to obtain assistance in danger. 

Hence, also, they were provided with senses of 



23 

smelling and tasting, to discriminate the food 
which was proper for the stomach ; and with the 
sense of feeling, to secure their identities, and ex- 
cite them to action. 

And though things sensible be numberless, 

But only five the senses' organs be ; 
And in those five, all things their forms express, 

Which we can touch, taste ? smell, or hear, or see. 

The organs of sense and the powers of volition 
proceed from the head and brain, by the nerves, 
which direct the muscles and tendons ; but the 
functions of animal life are sustained by a simple, 
yet wonderful arrangement, in the stomach and 
cavities of the body. 

The heart is the centre of a vast number of 
tubes, called arteries : and by its never-ceasing 
contraction, it carries the blood through them, to 
all parts of the frame, diffusing every where warmth 
and life. 

The blood of a man, thus driven by the contrac- 
tion of the heart (a force like that by which water 
is driven out a syringe or bladder,) weighs about 
30 pounds ; and, as this is the stock of the preci- 
ous fluid possessed by each of us, and our lives de- 
pend on its constant circulation, it is not allowed 
to remain at the extremity of the arteries, but is 
there taken up by another set of tubes called veins, 
and by them brought back again to the heart. 

Thus, there is a constant circulation, oulwanl 
and inward, of this same blood, at the rate of an 
ounce to each contraction, from the heart through 
the arteries, and back to the heart by the veins. 
To warm, revive, nourish it and keep up its quan- 
tity, there are various other wonderful, but very 
simple contrivances. 



24 

Were once the energy of air deny'd, 
The heart would cease to pour its purple tide ', 
The purple tide forget its wonted play ? 
Nor back again pursue its curious way. 

The heart consists of four cavities, from one of 
which called the left ventricle, the blood is driven 
into the arteries through the body ; by another, 
called the right auricle, it is received back again by 
the veins , it then passes into the right ventricle, 
whence it is forced into the lungs. 

Having there been revivified by coming into con- 
tact with the air, it is carried back by a set of veins 
into the left auricle, and, from thence, into the left 
ventricle, where it began its course : it is then a- 
gain forced into the arteries, brought back by the 
veins, &/C. till the end of life. 

The lungs are a large spongy substance, filling 
nearly the whole cavity of the chest, which rises 
as they fill, and falls as they empty, in respiring 
air through the mouth and nostrils. 

The act of respiration is performed about twen- 
ty times in a minute ; and about forty cubic inch- 
es of air are respired every time ; of which two in- 
ches oxygen are absorbed by the blood in the lungs, 
producing, at the same instant, ninety eight de- 
grees of vital heat, and restoring to the veinous 
blood its bright red color. 

[Obs. — The lights, as they are called, or the 
lungs of sheep or oxen, are exactly similar to the 
lungs of a man. On inspection, they will be found 
to be wonderfully adapted to their design of bring- 
ing the air into contact with the blood. Any rup- 
ture in their tender fabric, or defeat in their ac- 
tion, leads to the fatal disease, called Consump- 
tion.] 

Four thousand times in every hour, each cavity 
pf the heart is called into action ; and all the blood 



25 

in the body passes through the heart fourteen times* 
during that space. 

The arteries, into which it is forced, branch in 
every direction through the body, like the roots, 
branches, and leaves of a tree, running through 
the substance of the bones, and every part of the 
animal substance, till they are lost in such fine 
tubes as to be wholly invisible. 

In this manner, they distribute nourishment ^ 
supply perspiration ; and renew all the waste of the 
system ; and, by passing through glands in every 
part of the body, all the various animal secretions 
are elaborated. 

In the parts where the arteries are lost to the 
sight, the veins take their rise, and in their com- 
mencement are also imperceptable. The blood is 
then of a dark color ; and as it returns to the heart 
with a less impetus, there is always more blood in 
the veins than in the arteries. 

As the blood, in this discolored state has lost 
some of its vital power, it is driven through the 
lungs, and its color is restored ; but on its passage 
back to the heart, it also receives a supply of a 
new fluid extracted from the food of the animal in 
the stomach and intestines. 

The loss of weight in a human body by perspi- 
ration in twenty four hours is about four pounds ; 
and what is gained by the inspiration of air into 
the lungs, is lost by the expulsion of moisture, and 
of gas generated in the lungs. 

The motion of the lungs is preserved by that 
of the chest containing them ; that of the heart 
may be felt on the left breast ; and the circula- 
tion of the blood, from the action of the pulse in 
various parts of the body, and particularly at the 
wrist, 



26 

In children, the pulse gives one hundred and 
twenty strokes in a minute ; at 20 years, about 
seventy-five ; at 30, about seventy ; and in old age 
sixty or sixty-five. 

For the purpose of renewing and nourishing 
the blood, food is taken in at the mouth, mace- 
rated by the teeth, and mixed with the saliva : it 
is then carried into the stomach, a bag like an 
highland bag-pipe ; where it is dissolved into a 
soft pap by a powerful liquid, called the gastric 
juice. 

This pap is then forced from the stomach into 
the intestines ; where it is separated into a white 
milky liquid, called chyle and into the excrements. 

The chyle is taken up or absorbed, by myriads 
of fine tubes called the tacteah, which carry it to a 
main-pipe called the thoracic duct. This pipe as- 
cends to the throat, where it empties the chyle into 
a large vein, and being mixed with the blood, is 
conveyed to the heart. 

Of such subtle and wonderful contrivance is the 
organization of man ! Similar also, is the construc- 
tion of the whole animated nature, from the great- 
est to the smallest. 

Within the package of the skin, and essential to 
life and comfort, are numerous bones for strength ; 
hundreds of muscles and tendons for action; nerves 
spreads every where for sensation : arteries to 
carry out the blood ; veins to bring it back again, 
and glands performing all kinds of secretions ; 
besides an infinite number of tubes called lacteals 
and limphatics, to absorb and convey nutriment to 
the blood. 

Such being the complex construction of our 
bodies, is it not wonderful that we last seventy or 
eighty years ! When it is considered also that a 



27 

muscle or bone out of place, a vein or an artery stop 
in its circulation, or a nerve unduly acted upon, cre- 
ates disease, pain, and misery ; is it not wonderful 
that we enjoy so large a portion of health and pleas- 
ure. 

Should not such considerations teach us the va- 
lue of prudence and temperance ? 

Thick in yon stream of light, a thousand ways, 
Upward and downward, thwarting and convolv'd, 
The quivering nations sport ; till, tempest-wing'd 
Fierce winter sweeps them from the face of day ; 
Ev'n so, luxurious men unheeding pass 
An idle summer-life in fortune shine — 
A season's glitter ! Thus they flutter on 
From toy to toy, from vanity to vice : — 
Till blown away by death oblivion comes 
Behind, and strikes them from the book of life. 

Thomson. 

The nerves are soft white chords which rise from 
the brain, the focus of sensation, and disperse 
themselves in branches through all parts of the 
body. Impressions are received by the brain from 
the adjacent organs of sense; and the brain exerci- 
ses its commands over the muscles and limbs by 
means of the nerves. 

Thus, the body is enabled to avoid what is hurt- 
ful, to flee from danger, and to pursue every thing 
useful and agreeable. 

[Obs. — The proper object of vegetable organi- 
zation appears to be to supply food to animated na- 
ture ; and the wisdom of Providence is in nothing 
more evident than in the variety, wholesomeness, 
and abundance of vegetable provisions.] 

The ear is placed in the most convenient part 
of his body near the brain, the common seat of all 
the senses, to give more speedy information. 

In man it is of a form proper for the erect pos-, 



28 

ture of his body ; in birds, of a form proper for 
flight, and not protuberant ; in quadrupeds, its 
form is, in some, large, erect, and open ; in others, 
covered ; in subterraneous quadrupeds, the ears 
are short and lodged deep. 

The structure of the ear is admirably contrived 
to collect the undulations of sound, and to convey 
them to the sensory in the brain. The first part 
is the auricle, or external ear, formed to stop and 
collect the sonorous undulations, and convey them 
to the concha, or large capacious round cell, at the 
entrance of the ear. Persons, whose ears are cut 
off, have a confused hearing, and are obliged to 
form a cavity round the ear with their hand. 

In the interior is the auditory passage, curiously 
tunnelled and turned, to give sounds an easy pas- 
sage, and prevent their too furiously assaulting the 
more tender internal parts. 

To prevent the entrance of noxious insects, this 
passage is secured with a bitter nauseous sub- 
stance, called ear-wax. The next principal part 
is the membrana tympani, or drum of the ear, 
with its inner membranes, the four little appen- 
dant bones, and the three inner muscles to move 
them, and adjust the whole system to hear loud or 
soft sounds. 

The passage behind the drum of the ear, is call- 
ed the vestibulum, being the entrance to two other 
cavities, called the labyrinth, and the second coch- 
lea, from its resemblance to a snail's shell. 

The principal organs of the sense of smelling are 
the nostrils and olfactory nerves ; the ramifications 
of which are distributed throughout the nostrils. 

Smelling is effected by the odorous effluvia in 
the air, being drawn into the nostrils by inspira- 
tion, and struck with such force against the olfac- 



29 

tory nerves, as to shake them, and occasion ideas 
of sweet, fetid, sour and aromatic. 

The taste is that sensation which all things give 
to the tongue ; but some consider the palate, the 
upper part of the roof of the mouth, to be the in- 
strument of taste. 

The Creator seems to have established a very 
intimate union between the eye, the nose, and the 
palate, by directing branches of the same nerves 
to each of these parts, by which means there ex- 
ists all the necessary guards against pernicious 
food ; since, before it is admitted into the stomach, 
it undergoes the trial of two of the senses, and the 
scrutiny of the eye. 

Feeling is the sense by which we acquire ideas 
of solid, hard, hot, cold, &,c. 

Some consider the four other senses merely as 
modifications of feeling. 

The immediate organs of feeling are the pyra- 
midal papillae under the skin, which are little soft, 
medullary, nervous prominences, lodged every 
where under the uttermost skin. 

Feeling is the most universal of our senses ; in 
blind persons, the defect of sight has been suppli- 
ed by their exquisite touch or sense of feeling. — 
Spiders, flies, and ants, have this sense in greater 
perfection than man. 

From these five senses, flow all our sensitive 
perceptions, the result of experience ; and all the 
various habits, qualities, passions, and powers of 
animals. 

Certain practices called instincts, not the appa- 
rent result of experience, appear to us to belong to 
some animals, contrived by some unknown means 
of that all-powerful Creator, whose wonderous and 
incomprehensible works inspire with rapture and 



30 

devotion the being whom he has qualified to ex- 
amine and estimate them. 

As a prop-work or substantial frame to the body, 
the bones are formed. 

That the bones might not interfere with motion 
they are provided with hinges or ligaments. 

That the ligaments might work smoothly in one 
another, the joints are separated by gristles or 
cai'iilages, and provided with a gland for the se- 
cretion of oil or mucus, which is constantly exud- 
ing into the joints. 

There are 248 separate bones in the human bo- 
dy, classed under those of the head, the trunk, and 
the extremities. 

The skull, or cranium, consists of eight pieces, 
and serves as a vault and protection to the brain. 
There are also the cheek bones, the jaws, and 32 
teeth imbeded in them. 

The head is joined to the trunk by the vertebrae, 
consisting of several short bones, to the upper part 
of which is fastened by a hinge joint, and turned 
in the socket of the next lower one to the right or 
left by suitable muscles. 

In the front and centre of the trunk is the breast 
bone, extended from the neck to the abdomen ; and 
opposite to it, in the back, is the spine or back- 
bone, which extends from the skull to the bottom 
of the Joins, and is a long chain of separate short 
bones, called vertebrae. 

These serve as the support of seven hoops or ribs, 
which are inserted in them, and form the chest or 
thorax, in which are the heart, lungs, &d 

Beneath them, inserted in the spine only, and 
extending but half way round the body, are five 
false ribs. The hip-bones supporting the abdomen 
are called the pelvis. 



31 

Prom the neck to the top of each arm, a bone 
extends on each side, called the collar-bone, and 
the blade hones are independent supporters of it, 
The bone extending from the shoulder to the elbow 
is called the humerus. 

From the elbow to the wrists are two bones, the 
outer of which is the radius. 

The thigh bone is called the os femur ; the knee 9 
the patella ; and the leg has two bones like the 
arm, the inner called the tibia, and the outer the 
fibula. 

The animal frame is constantly exhausted and 
renewed ; so that every particle of the human body 
is changed in the compass of a year 1 

Nor is it less surprising that so many different 
substances as compose every animal body, should 
also be secreted by the glands from the same blood, 
than that, that blood may, in every instance, be 
traced to grass for its origin. 

[Obs.l. Those functions by which aliment is 
assimilated for the nourishment of the body, are 
digestion, absorption, circulation, respiration, and 
secretion ; and the effect of such assimilation is 
called nutrition. 

% The food received into the stomach after 
mastication by the teeth, and being mixed with sa- 
liva, is converted into chyme by the gastric juice ; 
the chyme passes into the intestines, where it is 
converted into chyle and excrementitious matter ; 
which last, being separated by means of bile, is evac- 
uated from the body ; whilst the chyle is absorbed 
by the lacteals and conveyed into the blood vessels. 

3. The absorbent system consists of the lacteals, 
lymphatics, the thoracic duct and the glands call- 
ed conglocate, throughout the body. 

Glands are organic bodies consisting of blood 
6 



32 

Vessels, nerves and absorbents, intended for the 
secretion or alteration of particular fluids. They 
are divided into four classes, simple, compounds, 
conglobate, and conglomerate ; and the orifices of 
glands are said to be peculiarly irritable. 

5. Secretion is the process by which various 
fluids are separated from the blood by means of 
the glands. The secretions are divided into the 
saline, as sweat and urine ; the oleaginous, as the 
fat, cerumen of the ear, &c. ; the saponaceous as 
bile and milk ; the mucous, as on the surface of 
membranes, &c. 

6. Sensibility is the faculty of perception by the 
contact of an extraneous body ; and this principle 
is generally diffused in our corporeal organs, but 
in different degrees. That modification of animal 
matter, in which sensation appears peculiar to ex- 
ist, is termed nervous, 

7. Motion is effected by the muscular fibre con- 
tracted by volition ; but the will can only exercise 
this power, through the medium of the nerves. — 
h r it ability is the power of contraction, inherent 
in our bodily organs, but not liable to be influenc- 
ed by the will.] 

All the senses of animals, and all their varied 
powers of action are exactly adapted to their dif- 
ferent modes of existence. What is food to one, 
is poison to another ; and every one finds provision 
according to its natural habits. 

Every thing, also, is in exact proportion ; and 
every provision of nature harmonizes with the 
corresponding desires and wants of animals. 

Nature's unnumbered family, combine 

In one beneficent, one vast design ; 

E'en from inanimates to breathing man. 

An Heaven-conceived, Heaven-executed plan ; 

Onward, from those, who soar, or lowly creep, 



33 

The wholesome equipoise through all to keep ; 
As faithful agents in earth, sea, and air, 
The Lower World to watch with constant care : 
Her due proportion wisely to conserve ; — 
A wondrous trust, from which they never swerve." 

Pratt' Lower World. 

Having given the above description of the differ- 
ent parts of man, we now proceed to a description 
of Medicine for general use in diseases, peculiar 
to Americans ; and equally beneficial to all na- 
tions, tongues, and languages on the whole earth. 
A proof of this is, that the medicines described in 
this work are impartial, I have administered them 
to people from different parts of North and South 
America, and from Europe, Asia and Africa. Res- 
toration to health has been the effect of the medi- 
cines given in all curable cases. Should this work 
fall into the hands of people in any part of the 
world, they maybe certain that the use of the veg- 
etables, as described here are safe, and will cer- 
tainly cure, if applied in season. 



MEDICINES FOR COMMON USE. 

HEMLOCK BARK. 

This is generally known in all parts of the Uni- 
ted States. There is a poisonous plant called Gar- 
den Hemlock, or Cicutn, which should never be 
used, as it is a deadly poison. Hemlock Bark is 
taken from the hemlock tree. The inner bark or 
meat, is the part to be used for medicine. It is an 
excellent medicine for canker, when made into a 
strong tea, either to drink, or to wash a canker sore. 

The following is my method of preparing it for 
use. Take the bark as it come sfrora the tree ; 
use such as is well dried and bright upon the inside. 



34 

Shave off the ross, and pound the bark fine in an 
iron mortar, or grind it in a mill. A tea made of 
this bark is good for children, and grown people 
who are troubled with canker in their mouths, 
throats, stomachs and bowels ; to wash canker 
sores, or to make poultices, for canker, to be thick- 
ened with slippery Elm. 

[See Poultice.'] 
Red Raspberry leaves made into a tea, witch 
hazel leaves, sumac leaves or berries are also good 
for canker, when made into a tea and used freely. 
Evan root, or what some call chockolate root, is 
good for cankei, when an astringent is needed. 

AMERICAN CAYENNE. 

American Cayenne has not long been known 
by this name. There are three kinds of Ameri- 
ean pepper called Cayenne. 1. A kind which 
grows in all the New-England States, and used to 
be called red pepper. There are different kinds 
as to the shape of the pods, and when this kind is 
ground and sifted, it is sold for Cayenne, and is us- 
ed with food. This is good as a medicine with 
other medicines, and when no other kind is to be 
had, may be used as a substitute, though its power 
is not sufficient to remove all obstructions, which 
other kinds will do when properly compounded 
with other vegetable medicines. It is not suffi- 
ciently strong to make good elixir. 

2. There is another kind of American Cayenne, 
which grows in Rhode Island, and is raised prin- 
cipally by a Mr. Child, of Warren, R. I. and is 
always for sale at the grocery stores in Boston. It 
is said that he brought the seed from the West In- 
dies, and that the difference between that and W 
I. Cayenne, is only as the difference of the two cli- 



35 

mates. It is .not -more than one half so warm to 
the mouth, as the W. I. Cayenne. This is much 
better than the West India Cayenne to use in the 
first part of the preparations of the Emetic ; for 
making vegetable powders, bitters, &c. The use 
of this will be mentioned when we describe veget- 
able powders, bitters, and the manner of giving and 
preparing the vegetable emetic in another part of 
this book. 

3. There is a third kind of American Cayenne, 
which is called Philadelphia Cayenne ; this grows in 
Pennsylvania, and is brought from Philadelphia, 
and kept by some apothecaries and grocers in 
Boston. 

This I consider the best kind of American Cay- 
enne* It is of a bright color, nearlyscariet. It is 
clean, and suited to the constitutions of the people 
of these United States. Using this principally in giv- 
ing an emetic, prevents pain, and raises the heat 
gradually whereas the West India Cayenne, if 
used without this, raises the heat too quick, and 
often distresses the sick very much. 

In giving a description of several preparations of 
medicines, these kinds of Cayenne will be mention- 
ed, and this description of these Cayennes will serve 
to instruct the reader in preparing medicines for use. 



WEST INDIA OftYENNE PEPPER. 

It is thought by some that this is a newly dis- 
covered medicine, not having been known till with- 
in a few years; but the following will shew that it 
has been known/as an excellent medicine for more 
than thirty past. 

In the Edinburgh Dispensatory, printed in the 
year 1791, p. 256, is the following : '« Piper In- 
6* 



m 

*>jcum. [London edit.] Fructus y Capsicum an* 
mmm, * Guinea pepper, or capsicum; the fruit. 3 
This is an annual plant, cultivated in our gardens; 
it ripens its red pods in September, or October. 
The taste of capsicum is extremely pungent, and 
acrimonious, setting the mouth as it were on fire. 
It is chiefly employed for culinary purposes,and has 
long been used in that way; but of late it has been 
employed also in the practice of medicine* And 
there can be little doubt that it furnishes us w r ith 
one of the purest and strong stimulants which can 
be introduced into the stomach ; while at the 
same time, it has nothing of the narcotic effect of 
ardent spirit. Dr. Adair Mackitrick, who was 
perhaps the first that employed it as a medicine, 
.directs its being given to the extent of six or eight 
grains in the form of pills, or in the form of tinc- 
ture made by infusing half an ounce of it in a 
pound of rectified spirit, and given from one to 
three drachms diluted for a dose. He has found it 
useful in a variety of affections, particularly in that 
morbid disposition which he calls the cachexia 
africana and which he considers as a most fre- 
quent and fatal predisposition to disease among 
the slaves. This pepper has also been of late suc- 
cessfully employed in a species of cynanche malig- 
na, which proved very fatal in the West Indies, re- 
sisting the use of Peruvian bark, wine, and other 
remedies commonly employed. 

A species of it, called in the West Indies, bird 
pepper, is the basis of a powder brought us from 
thence under the name of " cayenne pepper ." 

Dr. Thatcher, in his Dispensatory, written in 
1809, gives the following account of Cayenne, in 
p. 168. " This species of pepper is a native of 
South America, and is cultivated extensively in 



37 

the West India Islands. The pods are long, point- 
ed, and pendulous, at first of a green color, and af- 
terwards of a bright orange red. The taste of cap- 
sicum, is extremely pungent and acrimonious ; 
setting the mouth as it were on fire. Its pungen- 
cy is completely extracted by alchohol, and partly 
foy water. 

" Cayenne pepper is an indiscriminate mixture 
of the powder of the dried pods of many species 
jof capsicum. These peppers have been chiefly 
used as a condiment, [for seasoning or a sauce.] 
They prevent flatulence (or wind) from vegetable 
food, and have a warm kindly effect gpon the sto- 
mach. An abuse of them, however, gives rise to 
viceral obstructions, especially of the liver. Of 
late they have been employed also in the practice 
jof medicine. There can be little doubt, but they 
furnish us with one of the purest and strongest 
stimulants, that can be introduced into the stom- 
ach ; while, at the same time, they have nothing 
of the narcotic effects of ardent spirits. 

" Dr. Adair Mackitrick, who was perhaps the 
first that employed it as a medicine, directs them 
to be given to the extent of six or eight grains, un- 
der the form of pills, or in tincture, made by infus- 
ing half an ounce of the pods, in a pound of recti- 
fied spirits, and to be given from one to three 
drachms in a dose. He has found them useful in 
a variety of affections, particularly in that morbid 
disposition, which he calls the cachexia qfricana, 
and which he considers as a most frequent and fa- 
tal predisposition to disease among the slaves. Dr. 
Wright says, that in dropsical, and other com- 
plaints, where chalybeates (impregnated with iron 
or steel) are indicated, a minute portion of pow- 
dered capsicum (cayenne) forms an excellent ad- 



3S 

dition, and recommends its use in lethargic affec- 
tions. 

" This pepper has also been successfully em- 
ployed, infused in vinegar, as a gargle in a species 
of cynanche maligna, which proved very fatal in 
the West Indies, resisting the Peruvian bark, wine 
and the other remedies commonly employed. The 
practice, though successful in the West Indies, it 
is said, is not without danger from the inflamation 
it is liable to induce. 

" In tropical fevers, coma (or carus, a slight de- 
gree of apoplexy) and delirium are common atten- 
dants ; and in such cases, cataplasms, poultices) 
of capsicum have a speedy and happy effect. They 
redden the parts, but seldom blister, unless kept 
on too long. In ophthalmia [a disease of the eyes, 
being an infiamation in the coats, proceeding from 
arterious blood gotten out of the vessels] from re- 
laxation, the diluted juice of capsicum is a sover- 
eign remedy. ; ' 

From what is recorded in the Edinburgh and 
American Dispensatories, respecting the Cayenne 
pepper as a medicine, the following particulars are 
evident. 

i. That it has been known and used as a me- 
dicine for more than thirty years past. 

2. It is acknowledged to be one of the purest and 
strongest stimulants (exciting a quick sensation) 
which can be introduced into the stomach, being 
at the same time entirely destitute of any narcotic, 
or stupifying effect on such as use it. 

3. Dr. Mackitrick found it particularly useful 
in dropsical complaints, and other dangerous dis- 
eases ; even when other medicines failed. 

4. Dr. Thatcher declares that it is useful in re- 
moving wind or cold from the stomach, and as hav- 



39 

ing a warm and kindly effect upon the stomach. 
He adds that Dr. Wright declares it good in leth- 
argic complaints. 

5. Dr. T. adds that in diseases attended with 
delirium, a poultice made with cayenne, has had a 
speedy and happy effect by removing that delirium; 
and that in inflamed eyes, the juice of it is a sov- 
ereign remedy. 

Notwithstanding all said against this medicine, 
it is evidently a good thing for the sick, as well as 
a good article with food for the healthy ; when us- 
ed as it ought to be. In preparing the Elixir, this 
only will answer to make it good and powerful in 
removing pain. Many are disappointed in using 
the Elixir ; this is because American Cayenne is 
used instead of this kind. In many cases of rheu- 
matism, an ounce of this Cayenne boiled in one 
quart of strong vinegar, is an excellent thing to 
bathe the effected parts with, as it removes the 
pain, brings down the swelling, and makes the 
joints limber, and restores the action of the parts 
affected. 

In addition to the above account of Pepper, we 
give the following from Sibly's edition of Culpep- 
er's "English Physician" — printed in 1798. — 
Every reader of this work, may from the following 
learn two things ; 1. The various kinds of pep- 
per now in use, have been acknowledged as medi- 
cines long before they were in use in America, 
notwithstanding some have represented themselves 
as the first discovers of their medical properties. 
2. It is certain that they have, long ago, done 
much good when properly administered to the 
sick, lame, &c It appears from this quotation, 
that more has been known of the medical proper- 



40 

lies of pepper, than is generally known in this 
country, in the nineteenth century. The follow- 
ing is from vol. 1, page 303. 

PEPPER.— KINDS AND NAMES. 

There are several sorts of pepper, as black* 
white, and long pepper ; called piper nigrum, al- 
bum, et longum. The black and white pepper, 
differ not either in manner of growing, or in form 
of leaf or fruit. The long pepper also grows in 
the same manner, but difFereth in the fruit. All 
these sorts grow on a climbing bush, in the East 
Indies, after one manner, that is, as hops grow 
with us : so that, if they be not sustained by some 
tree or pole, on which they may climb and spread, 
they will lie down on the ground, and thereon run 
and shoot forth small fibres at every joint. But 
the usual manner is to plant a branch taken from 
the bush near some tall tree, great cane, or pole ; 
and so it will quickly, by winding itself about such 
props, get to the top thereof ; it is full of joints, 
and shooteth forth fair, large, leaves, one at each 
joint, being almost round, but ending in a point, 
green above and paler underneath, with a great 
middle-rib, and four other ribs somewhat less, 
spreading from it, two on each side, and smaller 
therein also, unto edges, which are smooth and 
plain, somewhat thin, and set on a pretty long foot- 
stalk. The fruit, or pepper, whether black, white, 
or long, groweth at the same joint, but on the con- 
trary side, opposite to the leaf, round about a long 
stalk, somewhat thinly set all along thereon, or 
not so close as a bunch of grapes ; the roots hath 
sundry joints creeping in the ground, with fibres 
at the joints. The white pepper is hardly distin- 
guishable from the black, by the plants thereof ua- 



4i 

tii it become ripe, (for the white and black pepper 
grow on different bushes,) but that the leaves are 
of a little paler green color, and grains or berries 
are White, solid, firm, without wrinkles, and more 
aromatic. The long pepper hath leaves of very 
near the same form and size, but a little longer 
pointed, of a paler green color, thinner also, and 
with a shorter footstalk, but four or five ribs some- 
times on each side, according to the largeness of 
the leaf, with other smaller veins therein, and has 
less acrimony and hot taste than the black. The 
fruit of this also groweth in like manner at the 
joints, opposite to each leaf, which are closer set 
together than the black, consisting of many small 
grains as it were set close together in rows, and 
not open and separate as in the black and white 
pepper ; of an ashcolor when it is ripe. 

GOVERNMENT AND VIRTUES. 

All the peppers are under the dominion of Mars, 
and of temperature hot and dry almost in the 
fourth degree, but the white pepper is the hottest ; 
which sort is much used by the Indians, many of 
whom use the leaves as Europeans do tobacco ; 
and even the pepper itself they also chew, taking 
from the branch one grain after another, while 
they are fresh. 

Pepper is much used with us in meats and sau- 
ces ; comforteth and warms a cold stomach, 
consumeth crude and moist humours therein, and 
stirreth up the appetite. It helpeth to break or 
dissolve wind in the stomach or bowels, to provoke 
urine, to help the cough and other diseases of the 
breast, and is effectual against bitings of serpents, 
and other poisons, and to that purpose it is an in- 



42 

gredient in the great antidotes : but the white pep- 
per, as being more sharp and aromatical, is of 
more effect in medicine ; and so is the long, being 
more used to be given for agues to warm the sto- 
mach before the coming of the fit, thereby to abate 
the shaking thereof. All of them are used against 
the quinsey, being mixed with honey, and taken 
inwardly and applied outwardly, and disperse the 
kernels, as well in the throat as in any other part 
of the body. 

Mathiolus maketh mention of a kind of pepper^ 
which he calleth piper jEthopicum brought with 
other merchandise from Alexandria into Italy,and 
growing in the long pods like beans or pease ; but 
many pods set together at a place, whose grains 
within them being like pepper both in form and 
taste, but smaller, stick very close to the inside ; 
this sort Serapio calleth granum zelin. 

Monardusalso maketh mention of a kind of long 
pepper, that groweth in all the tract of the conti- 
nent of the West Indies. This kind of pepper is 
half a foot long, and of the thickness of a small 
rope, consisting of many rows of small grains, set 
close together as in the head of plantane, and is 
black when ripe ; and hotter in taste, and more 
aromatical and pleasant, than capsicum, and pre- 
ferred before black pepper, and groweth (says he) 
on high trees or plants. 

GUINEA PEPPER— KINDS AND NAMES. 

There are many sorts thereof found out and 
brought to our knowledge in these latter days. — 
Gregorius de Riggio, a Capuchin friar, maketh 
mention of a dozen several sorts or varieties, at 
the least, in the fruit or pods, though in any thing 
else very little differing ; there are likewise some 
other varieties, observed by Clusius and others* 



43 



DESCRIPTION. 

The most ordinary Guinea pepper with long 
husks, capsicum mqjus vulgatius oblongis siliquis. 
By this you may frame the description of all the 
rest, the main difference consisting in the form of 
the fruit, whether husk or pods. This plant riseth 
up with an upright, firm, round, stalk, with a cer- 
tain pith within them ; growing about two feet 
high in this country, and not exceeding three feet 
in any other hotter climate, spreading into many 
branches on all sides, even from the very bottom, 
which divide themselves again into other smaller 
branches, at each joint whereof come two long 
leaves upon short foot stalks, somewhat bigger 
than those of nightshade, with divers veins in them, 
not dented about the edges at all, and of a dark- 
green color ; the flowers stand severally at the 
joints, with leaves like the flower of nightshade, 
consisting most usually of five, and sometimes six, 
white small-pointed leaves, standing open like a 
star ; with a few yellow threads in the middle, af- 
ter which come the fruit, either great or small, 
long or short, round or square, as the kind is, eith- 
er standing upright or hanging down, as their flow- 
ers shew themselves either of this or that form ; 
in this, about three inches in length, thick and 
round at the stalk, and smaller towards the end, 
which is not sharp, but round-pointed, green at 
the first, but when full ripe of a very deep shining 
crimson color : on the outside of which is a thick 
skin, and white on the inside, of a sweet pleasant 
smell, having many flat yellow seeds therein, cleav- 
ing to certain thin skins within it, which are broad 
at the upper end and narrow at the lower, leaving 
the end or point empty within, not reaching so 
far ; the husk or seed of which is of so hot and 



44 

fiery a taste, as to inflame and burn the mouth 
and throat for a long time after it is chewed, and 
almost ready to choak one that taketh much at a 
time thereof : the root is composed of a great tuft 
or bush of threads, which spreads plentifully on 
the ground, and perisheth even in hot countries 
after it hath ripened all its fruit. 

There are nineteen other sorts of Guinea pep- 
per, all which, except the undermentioned, differ 
so little from that already described, as not to be 
worth explanation. 

Guinea pepper with hairy stalks capsicum caule 
piloso. This groweth with green round stalks, 
set full of white hairs, contrary to all other sorts ; 
at the branches come forth two such leaves as the 
beforementioned one hath, but rather larger ; the 
flowers are white, consisting of five leaves like the 
rest, which are likewise larger ; after which come 
the pods, green at first, and, when ripe, red like 
the rest, w r hich are somewhat great andlong, end- 
ing a very long point ; not differing from the for- 
mer sorts in the seed and roots. 

; i PLACE AND TIME. 

All these sorts of pepper came from the West 
Indies, called America, and the several parts there- 
of, Brasil being reckoned as a part of it, and our 
Summer Islands also ; but here in England (tho' 
erroneously) we give it the name of Guinea pep- 
per, as though it originally came from thence. — 
They are now raised in gardens in all the provin- 
ces of Europe, excepting in very cold countries, 
and grow in many places of Italy, Spain, &,c. 

They do not sow them in hot countries before 
the end of March or beginning of April, and at 
the soonest they do not flower before August fol- 



45 

lowing, and their red pods ripen not thoroughly 
until November, when they will continue both 
with flower and fruit most of the winter, where the 
weather is not very intense ; but in very cold cli- 
mates they perish with the first frost, and therefore 
must be carefully housed, if any will preserve them, 

GOVERNMENT AND VIRTUES. 

All these softs of pepper are under Mars, and 
are of a fiery, hot, sharp, biting taste, and of a 
temperature hot and dry to the end of the fourth 
degree ; they burn and inflame the mouth and 
throat so extremely, that it is hard to be endured ; 
and, if it be outwardly applied to the skin in any 
part of the body, it will exulcerate and raise it as 
if it had been burnt with fire or scalded with hot 
water. The vapours that arise from the husks or 
pods, while one doth but open them to take out the 
seed, (especially if they beat them into powder, or 
bruise them) will so pierce the brain, by flying up 
into the head through the ndstrils, as to produce 
violent sneezings, and draw down abundance of 
thin rheum, forcing tears from the eyes, and will 
all pass into the throat, and provoke a sharp cough- 
ing, and cause violent vomiting; and, if any shall 
with their hands touch their face or eyes, it will 
cause so great an inflammation, that it will not be 
remedied in a long time, by all the bathing there- 
of with wine or cold water that can be used, but 
yet will pass away without further harm. If any 
of it be cast into fire, it raiseth grievous strong and 
noisome vapours, occasioneth sneezing, cough- 
ing, and strong vomiting, to all that be near it ; if 
it should be taken simply of itself, (though ia a 
very small quantity, either in powder or decoction) 
it would be hard to endure, and might prove dan* 
gerous to life. 



46 

Having now given you an account of the dan- 
gers attending the immoderate use of these violent 
plants and fruits, I shall next direct you how to 
proceed in order to make them become servicea- 
ble for health, being corrected and cleansed from 
all their evil and noisome qualities. 

Preparation of the Guinea Pepper. 
Take the ripe pods of any sort of the Guinea 
pepper, (for they are in property all alike) and dry 
them well, first of themselves, and then in an oven 
after the bread is taken out : put it into a pot or 
pipkin with some flour, that they may be quite dried, 
then cleanse them from the flour, and their stalks, 
if they have any ; cut both husks and seeds within 
them very small, and to every ounce ofthemputa 
pound of wheat flour ; make them up together into 
cakes or small loaves, with leaven proportioned to 
the quantity you make ; bake these as you do bread 
of the small size, and, when baked, cut it again 
into smaller parts, and then bake it again, that it 
may be as dry and hard as a biscuit, which, 
beaten into fine powder, and sifted, may be kept 
for any of the uses hereafter mentioned, or may 
serve instead of ordinary pepper, to season meat or 
broth, for sauce, or any other purpose the East In- 
dian pepper doth serve ; for it doth not only give 
good taste or relish to the meat or sauce, but is 
found to be very good both to discuss the wind 
and the cholic in the body. It is of singular ser- 
vice to be used with flatulent or windy diet, and 
such as breeds moisture and crudities ; one scru- 
ple of the said powder, taken in a little broth of 
veal or of a chicken, gives great relief and com- 
fort to a cold stomach, causing phlegm and such 
viscous humours as lie low in the bottom thereof 
to be voided ; it helpeth digestion, for it occasioneth 



47 

an appetite to meat, provoketh urine, and, taken 
with saxifrage water, expelieth the stone in the 
kidneys and the phlegm that breedeth them ; and 
taketh away dimness or mistiness of the sight, be- 
ing used in meats ; taken with Pillulas Aleophan- 
ginoe, it helps the dropsy ; the powder, taken for 
three days together in the decoction of pennyroy- 
al, expelieth the dead birth ; but if a piece of the 
pod or husk, either green or dry, be put into the 
womb after delivery, it will make them barron for 
ever after ; but the powder, taken for four or five 
days fasting, with a little fennelseed, will ease all 
pains of the mother. The same also made up 
with a little powder of gentian and oil of bays in- 
to a pessary, with some cotton wool, doth bring 
down the courses ; the same, mixed with a lohoch 
or electuary for the cough, helpeth an old invete- 
rate cough ; being mixed with honey and applied 
to the thoat, it helpeth the quinsy ; and made up 
with a little pitch or turpentine, and laid upon any 
hard knots or kernels in any part of the body, it 
will dissolve them, and not suffer any more to 
grow there ; and, being mixed with nitre snd ap- 
plied, it takes away the morphew, and all freckles, 
spots, marks and discolorings, of the skin ; appli- 
ed with hensgrease, it dissolveth all cold impost- 
humes and carbuncles ; and mixed with sharp 
vinegar it dissolveth the hardness of the spleen : 
mixed with unguentum de alabastro, and the reins 
of the back anointed therewith, it will take away 
the shaking fits of agues; a plaster made thereof, 
with the leaves of tobacco, will heal the sting or 
biting of any venomous beast. 

The decoction of the husks themselves, made 
with water, and the mouth gargled therewith, 
helpeth the tooth ach, and preserveth the teeth 
7* 



48 

from rottenness ; the ashes of them being rubbed 
on the teeth, will cleanse them, and make them 
look white. The decoction of them in wine help- 
eth the hernia ventosa, or watery rupture, if appli- 
ed warm morning and evening : if put to steep for 
three days together in aquavita, it helpeth the pal- 
sy, the place affected being bathed therewith ; and 
steeped for a day in wine, and two spoonfuls 
drunk thereof every day fasting, it is of singular 
service in rendering stinking breath sweet. 



BAYBERRY. BARK OF THE ROOT. 

This is by some called Candleberry Myrtle ; but 
JBayberry is the name by which it is known in this 
country, particularly in New England. It is a 
kind of shrub, and generally grows from two to 
four feet high. It is the most common near the 
sea shore. It bears small berries, from which by 
boiling, a kind of tallow of a greenish color is ob- 
tained, which is used with common tallow to make 
the candles hard that are used in hot weather. — 
This tallow is also good to put in salve, which is 
made and used by country people. 

The leaves of the plant are good to make a 
strong tea of, to gargle the throat when sore, or 
swelled. The roots are the most valuable part 
for medicine, which are strong at any season of 
the year, when obtained. The best time to pro- 
cure it is, when the sap runs, or in warm weather. 
The roots must be pulled up and washed clean. 
When this is done, lay the root on a stone, take a 
hard dry stick, and crack the bark from one end 
of the root to the other. This will make the bark 
come off easy and quick. It ought to be dried in 
t^e sun* 



49 

A strong tea made of this bark is good for a sore 
throat, for canker in the throat, stomach and bow- 
els, and to cure a recent relax. It is also an ex- 
cellent tea to wash a foul or cankered sore. The 
bark made into powder is good for snuff to clear 
the nose and head, and cure pain in the head ; also 
as a tooth powder, to clear the gums of scurvy, and 
remove canker from the mouth. 

The bark of this root, made fine by pounding 
it in an iron mortar, or by the pulverizing mill, is 
a principal article in the vegetable powders, men- 
tioned in this work. 

[See Vegetable Powder.] 

In some states of the stomach, this powder in 
warm water answers for a gentle emetic, though it 
will not always operate in this way. When it does, 
the operation is always safe. An heaping teaspoon- 
ful is enough for one time. 

This medicine is continually coming into use in 
this country, and without any doubt, its medical 
properties will hereafter become more known than 
at present. 

The reader will find a further description of this 
plant, where medicine is described, in which thi3 
article makes one part of the preparation. 



EMETIC HERB, OR PLANT OF RENOWN. 

It appears from the writings of the Prophet Eze- 
kiel, that in his day there was one plant used by 
the people, which was in itself superior to all oth- 
ers known at that time ; as it possessed medical 
properties which was not to be found in any other. 
To illustrate the glory and excellencies of the 
Messiah who was to come, he made use of thia 
plant that they might see his superiority above all 



50 

others when he should appear among them. He 
says, Ezekiel, xxxv. 29.— " And I will raise up 
cor them a. plant of renown." The plant which I 
.all the plant of renown, if not the one mentioned 
y the Prophet, is superior to any plant in this 
c ountry, and will with other vegetable medicines, 
do what no other one will do, and I think well de- 
serves this name. 

This plant has a variety of names in this coun- 
try. It is called Indian Tobacco — Emetic Weed 
—■Emetic Herb — Lobelia Inflata — Lobelia Emet- 
ica. Some call it poisonous, some useful, some 
useless. Some say it will kill immediately, and 
some say it is an infallible cure in all curable cas- 
es, &>c. 

As much is said of this plant at the present 
time, I shall be particular in stating vyhat others 
have said of it, and in giving what I know to be 
true of it as a medicine for the relief of the sick. 

I shall first give my readers an account of it as 
stated by Dr. Thatcher, Dr. Drury, and Dr. Cut- 
ler, published by Dr. Thatcher in his " Ameri- 
can New Dispensatory /' printed in 1810, or not 
far from that time. 

The following is in Thatcher's Dispensatory, 
page 258. Lobelia Inflata. Lobelia Emetic. The 
Lobelia Inflata is indigenous, [a native plant of 
America] and annual, rising to one or two feet, 
with branched stems. The leaves are oblong, al- 
ternate ; slightly serated and sessile. The blos- 
soms are solitary, in a kind of spike, of a pale blue 
color. It is found common in dry fields, among 
barley and rye stubble, and flowers in July and 
August ; its capsules are inflated, and filled with 
numerous small seeds. 

The leaves chewed are at first insipid, says Dr 



51 

Cutler, but soon become pungent occasioning a 
copious discharge of saliva. If they are held in 
the mouth for sometime, they produce giddiness, 
and pain in the head, with a trembling agitation 
of the whole body ; at length they bring extreme 
nausea and vomiting. The taste resembles that 
of tartar emetic. A plant possessed of such active 
properties, notwithstanding the violent effects 
from chewing the leaves, may possibly become a 
valuable medicine. 

It was employed by the aborigines as an eme- 
tic, and also by those empyrics who affect to deal 
in Indian remedies only. As a new article it has 
lately excited much speculation in the New Eng- 
land States, and its properties have very frequent- 
ly been subjected to the test of practical experiment. 
It is found to operate as a speedy and active e- 
metic, and it often induces a most profuse perspira- 
tion immediately after being received into the sto- 
mach. It has proved seviceable in cases of cho- 
^ic, where emetics were indicated. In a variety 
of instances it has been administered as a remedy 
in asthmatic affections, and on competent author- 
ity we are assured, that it has in general mani- 
fested considerable efficacy, and sometimes prov- 
ed more beneficial in this distressing disease than 
any other medicine. From some of its effects, 
says an eminent physician, lobelia seems to be re- 
lated to the narcotic plants ; to the mouth and 
first passages, it proves acrid, (having an hot biting 
taste) and highly stimulant ; its stimulous appears 
to be of the diffusive kind, as Dr. Cutler, on tak- 
ing it, experienced an irritation of the skin over 
the whole body. 

The specific qualities of this highly active plant, 
promising to be of utility as a remedy, should be 



52 

particularly investigated by ingenious and intelli- 
gent men, that its rank in the Materia Medica may 
be clearly ascertained. 

The following highly interesting observations 
have been recently received from the Rev. Dr. M. 
Cutler. 

** When I was preparing my botanical papers," 
says the Doctor, " I had given it (the lobelia) on- 
ly a cursory examination, and having some doubt 
about its specific character, I suspected it to be a 
new species. Accidentally ascertaining its eme- 
tic property, I inserted it with the specific name, 
emetic weed. By chewing a small part of it, com- 
monly no more than one or two of the capsules, it 
proved a gentle emetic. If the quantity be a little 
increased, it operates as an emetic, and then as a 
cathartic, its effects being much the same as those 
of the common emetics and cathartics. It has 
been my misfortune, the author observes, to be an 
asthmatic for about ten years. I have made trial 
of a great variety of the usual remedies with very 
little benefit. In several paroxysms, I had found 
immediate relief more frequently than any thing 
else, from the skunk cabbage. The last summer 
I had the severest attack I ever experienced. It 
commenced early in August, and continued about 
eight weeks. Dr. Drury, of Marblehead, also an 
asthmatic,has made use of a tincture of the Indian 
Tobacco, by the advice of a friend in a severe pa- 
roxysm early in the spring. It gave him immedi- 
ate relief, and he is entirely free from the com- 
plaint from that time. 

'< I had a tincture made of the fresh plant, and 
took care to have the spirit fully saturated, which 
I think is important. In a paroxysm which per- 
haps was as severe as I ever experienced, the dif- 



53 



ficulty of breathing, extreme, and after it had con- 
tinued for a considerable time, I took a table 
spoonful. In three or four minutes my breathing 
was as free as it ever was, but felt no nausea at 
the stomach. In ten minutes I took another 
spoonful, which occasioned sickness. After ten 
minutes I took the third, which produced sensible 
effects upon the coats of the stomach, and a very 
little moderate puking, and a kind of prickly sen- 
sation through the whole system, even to the ex- 
tremeties of the fingers and toes. The urinary 
passage was perceptibly affected by producing a 
smarting sensation in passing urine, which was 
probably provoked by stimulous upon the bladder. 
But all these sensations very soon subsided, and a 
vigor seemed to be restored to the constitution, 
which I had not experienced for years. I have 
not since had a paroxysm, and only a few times 
some small symptoms of asthma. Besides the vi- 
olent attacks, I had scarcely passed a night with- 
out more or less of it, and often so as not to be a- 
ble to lie in bed. Since that time, I have enjoy- 
ed as good health as, perhaps, before the first at- 
tack. 

" I have given you this minute detail of my 
own case, from an apprehension that this plant ju- 
diciously employed, may approac nearer to a 
specific, in this most distressing complaint, than 
any other that has been yet discovered. But I 
am aware much further experiment is necessary 
to ascertain its real value. Several medical gen- 
tlemen have since made use of the tincture in asth- 
matic cases with much success, but the effects 
have not been uniformly the same. In all instan- 
ces of which I have had information, it has pro- 
duced immediate relief, but the effect has been 



54 

different in different kinds of asthma. Some pa- 
tients have been severely puked with only a tea- 
spoonful but in all cases some nausea seems to be 
necessary. 

" The asthma with which I have been afflicted, 
I conceive to be that kind which Dr. Bree, in his 
Practical inquiries on disordered respiration, &/C. 
calls the first species ' a convulsive asthma from 
pulmonic irritation of effused serum.' My constitu- 
tion has been free, I believe, from any other dis- 
order, than what has been occasioned by an affec- 
tion of the lungs, anxiety of the prsecorctia, and 
straitness of the breast, and other symptoms pro- 
duced by that affection. In similar asthmas, the 
tincture has been as successful as in my case. It 
is extremely desirable that careful experiments 
should be made by men of real medical know- 
ledge. ., 

" A particular case has been related to me of an 
effectual cure of the hydrophobia, in the last stage 
of the disease, by the use of this plant. I had the 
information from a man of undoubted veracity, 
that received it from the father of the young man 
who was cured ; but facts relating to the case 
have not been sufficiently ascertained to assert it 
to be a remedy in this disease. In a short time I 
expect to obtain a more circumstantial and satis- 
factory account of this case. 

" With the view of establishing a uniformity of 
strength in the preparation, the Essex District 
Medical Society have agreed > that the proportion 
for the tincture of lobelia shall be two ounces of 
the dried plant to one pint of diluted alcohol. 

" The result of subsequent practical observations 
has amply confirmed the utility of lobelia inflata 
in various diseases. In numerous instances of 



55 

asthma it has procured the most essential relief, 
though in general its effects were only temporary 
and palliative. As a pectoral it has been found 
useful in consumptive and other coughs, depend- 
ing on mucus accumulated in the bronchial ves- 
sels by exciting nausea and expectoration From 
its very speedy operation as an emetic, and its 
stimulating effects on the mouth and fauces, bene- 
ficial results might be expected from its use in 
croup and whooping cough ; and on some trials 
our expectations have been realized in this respect. 
It may perhaps be anticipated to supercede sene- 
ka, as a remedy in the former, and antimonials in 
the latter affection. 

" More extensive practical knowledge of the 
properties of this plant, afld the various forms and 
circumstances of its administration is still, howev- 
er, a most desirable object. 

" The leaves should be collected in August, 
while the plant is in blossom, and carefully dried, 
and preserved for use. From ten to twenty grains 
of the powdered leaves will in general be found a 
suitable dose as an emetic for an adult, or it may 
be repeated in smaller quantities. As a pectoral 
it may be given in powder or pills alone, or com- 
bined with other remedies, repeated in small dos^ 
es till an evident good result is observable. Of 
the saturated tincture, twenty, forty, or even sixty 
drops may be safely given children of one or two 
years old, increasing as occasion may require.'' 

In the Pharmacopeia of the United States, pub- 
lished in 1820, by the authority of the Medical 
Societies and Colleges, is the following account 
of a tincture of Indian Tobacco, page 235. 

11 Tincture of Indian Tobacco. Take of Indian 
Tobacco, two ounces ; diluted alcohol one pint. 
Digest for ten days and filter." 
8 



56 

From all said upon this plant, in these two au- 
thors, we notice the following : — 

1. That the emetic herb is a native of America, 
and anew species of medicine, not known, except- 
ing to the natives, till within a few years. 

2. It is evident that the Indians used it as a safe 
and useful emetic, without any bad consequences 
whatever. 

3. It seems by Dr. Thatcher's account of it, 
that within a few years, the physicians have made 
practical experiments with it, and found it useful 
in opening the pores, removing cholic and asth- 
ma. 

4. Dr. Cutler of Wenham, found a cure of the 
asthma by it, and a restoration to health, which 
he had not before enjoyed for many years. Dr. 
Drury of Marblehead, found the same relief. Dr. 
C. considers it the best remedy for that complaint, 
of any thing ever before discovered. 

5. Dr. Cutler mentions one cured of the bite 
of a mad dog bythis plant, which doubtless is true 
as this herb rightly administered, is an infallable 
cure in that case. 

6. It is here stated to be useful in the croup, 
whooping cough, "&c. and the Doctor says it may 
be safely given to children, in tincture, from twen- 
ty to forty, or even sixty drops ; and the powder- 
ed leaves may be given to a grown person, from 
ten to twenty grains, that is, about a common tea 
spoonful. 

7. The Dr. says that .the various forms and cir- 
cumstances of administering this medicine, is a 
most desirable object to be known by the physi- 
cians, though it is what they do not yet know. 

8. It appears, that before Dr, Cutler wrote to 
Dr. Thatcher he considered it like minerals, a 



57 " 

very good and a very dangerous medicine, so bad 
that if it does not operate immediately, death is 
the consequence, sometimes- in five or six hours, 
and that horses and cattle have been supposed to 
be killed by eating it accidentally. All this is 
false, and Dr. Cutler's account of it, and Dr. T's. 
own remarks, after he wrote these dangerous parts, 
proves that this part is not true. 

9. It is evident that the members of the Medi- 
cal Societies and Colleges in the United States, 
are convinced of its excellency, as they have in 
their book, published in the year 1821, given di- 
rections as to the manner of preparing the tinc- 
ture of it for use in sickness. 

10. The fact is, other men know much more of 
this valuable plant than the Doctors, and this 
knowledge they wish for, and doubtless would be 
glad of it and the privilege of administering the 
same. 

In addition to the above, I here subjoin my ex- 
perimental knowledge of the excellency of this re- 
markable plant ; and what the reader finds here 
recorded, he may safely depend on as truth, and 
with safety administer it accordingly. 

The Plant of Renown, sometimes called '■* In- 
dian Tobacco;" sometimes Pufee Weed; and by 
Dr. Cutler Lobelia Inflata, is a native of Ameri- 
ca. I have seen it growing plentifully in Ver- 
mont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, and Vir- 
ginia ; and without doubt it is plenty in New Jer- 
sey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. I have heard 
of it in Ohio and Kentucky, and it is likely to be 
plenty in all parts of the United States. 

It is entirely a wild plant, and cannot be culti- 
vated in gardens. If it is sown, it is not certain to 



58 

ever be seen again. It sows itself like the mullen, 
in the autumn, comes up and spreads out like 
mullen, or winter grain, the first summer ; the 
next year it grows up from nine inches to two feet 
high, in description as given by Dr. Thatcher. — 
It may be found by the first of July, but it is not 
ripe till August and September ; at which time 
the leaves are a little turned, then the pod is ripe, 
which on account of the seed, is the best time to 
gather it. 

One thing is very remarkable ; the leaves are 
equally strong from their first appearance until 
ripe, and may be used at any time, to young or old. 
The seed is good when the leaves are dried by 
age, or killed by frost. The leaves are best to be 
gathered in a clear day, and when the heat of the 
sun is most powerful ; though it may be gathered 
at any other time. 

It is not a plant confined to any soil ; though it 
is mostly found in old fields, I have . found it in 
groves, in dry hot ground ; in low lands, «and is 
the largest near streams. It may almost always 
be found by the side of roads, particularly turn- 
pikes, which have been made several years. I 
have observed it the most plenty in hot and wet 
seasons, and the largest in wet places. 

It appears to me that the seed sometimes lies 
in the ground for years before it grows ; as it is 
frequently found where none could* grow, until an 
alteration was made in the state of the ground. — 
I have frequently found it in corn fields, in fields 
of grain, mowing ground, pastures and door yards. 
It grows plentifully in Vermont, New Hampshire, 
and Massachusetts ; some in Rhode Island and 
Connecticut. Wherever the soil is rich enough 
to produce food for men and beasts, there this plant 
may generally be found. 



59 



USE OF THE PLANT OF RENOWN, OR EMETIC 
HERB. 

Though one of the most useful herbs on earth 
with others, it is not so alone, as it does not pos- 
sess all needful to restore health to the sick man, 
It is very quick in its operations, but if some other 
medicine is not added to assist, it soon exhausts 
itself, and is done. 

I have found it with other medicines, an infalli- 
ble cure in all cases, excepting such as are beyond 
all cure. I have given it to all ages, from two days 
old to men of eighty-two, with safety and success. 
I have given it to females in all cases peculiar to 
them, and have never known it to fail, in curable 
cases. There are two cases, where it will not op- 
erate ; one is, when the person is dying ; here it 
will not act, of course it will not cause death to any 
one. The other is, when all disease is^removed, 
it will not make a well man sick. When a man 
is so sick as to be past cure, this emetic will re- 
lieve him, and cause him to live longer, and easier 
than without, excepting in mortification.. 



THE POWER OF THIS PLANT. 

Several physicians have mentioned to me that 
they were afraid to use it, not knowing the power 
of it. This I am thoroughly acquainted with, be- 
yond a doubt. The power of it is, with other me- 
dicines, to remove disease, and no more. Like 
food, which has power to remove hunger, drink to 
remove thrist, riches to remove poverty, life to re- 
move death, &c. It operates on disease in every 
part of the body, as the eyestone does in remov- 
ing from the eye, whatever injures. When this is 
done, the stone ceases its operation. 
8* 



60 

There is no doubt but the power of it, as well 
as all other good things may be abused ; but used 
in a proper medium, its power is always against 
disease, and in favor of the diseased. If enough 
is not given, it worries, if more than is needed is 
given, it is lost but will not kill. No one ever died by 
its operation, as there is no death in it. It is pos- 
sible some have died by taking it, because those 
who gave it raised the outward heat too high, by 
having the room too warm, by puting on too many 
clothes, or by steaming hot stones and putting 
them round the sick person. This ought always 
to be remembered, and then, all is safe. 

I do not know that any one ever died in this 
way, but this is the only way in which a person 
may die that I know of in taking this emetic. This 
emetic is so powerful, as to search every part from 
head to foot, to remove (with other medicines) ob- 
structions from the brain, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, 
jaws, throat, muscles, heart, lungs, liver, stomach, 
midriff, bowels, kidneys, gall bladder, bones, mar- 
row, sinews, legs and feet ; it will go through the 
veins, arteries, blood vessels, and every part that 
can be obstructed ; so far it has power to go, and 
no further. 

There is an oil in this herb, which can be dif- 
fused through the whole body, for the general good 
of the whole. 

This herb stands at the head of all the herbs 
made for the service of man, and is the king of all 
diseases, and with its army, has power to over- 
come all opposed to the health of men while in a 
curable state. 

Notice. There are two parts of this plant which 
are used for an emetic. The leaves and the seed. 
The leaves are to be gathered at any time after 



61 

they are grown, dried in the sun, pounded fine, 
and sifted through a fine sieve, and then they are 
fit for use. To obtain the seed, the leaves must 
be a little yellow, at which time the seed is ripe. 
The herb must be gathered, spread on a sheet, 
and dried in the sun. When dry, the seed maybe 
easily rubbed out, and then taken from the sheet. 
This for use must be pounded in an iron mortar, 
until it is soft and sticks together. 

The various modes of preparing this plant in 
both parts for an emetic, will be found under the 
article Emetic ; which see. This plant of re- 
nown, is useful in cramps, fits, lockjaw, spasms r 

As it is my design to write upon a variety of 
diseases peculiar to man, and shew the use and 
power of the Emetic herb, in removing diseases, 
and the manner of applying it illustrated from ex- 
perience ; I shall close with the following, written 
by Dr. Howard of Ohio. 

" Lobelia Injlata is a biennial plant, growing 
from eight to thirty inches high ; stem erect, milky, 
branched. Leaves alternate, milky, oval, or ob- 
long, acute, edges jagged with unequal teeth. — 
Flowers scattered along the branches, small, pale 
blue, axillary to bracts, somewhat similar to the 
leaves but much smaller, upper ones the smallest. 
Seed vessel a small oblong, roundish pod, crown- 
ed with several little bracts which are the calyx 
of the flower. Dr. Thomson fancifully supposes 
the pod to resemble the human stomach. Seeds 
many, very minute, brown, resembling tobacco 
seeds. 

Lobelia is a common plant in most parts of the 
United States, growing by the road side, rarely in 
woods, in the greatest abundance in stubble fields, 



62 

especially the next season after the crop is taken 
off. When broken, a milky, acrid, juice exudes 
from the plant, of a most penetrating diffusable na- 
ture, which, if applied only to the eyelid, produc- 
es a powerful effect upon the eye, whence the 
name eyebright. This plant being biennial, throws 
out the first year only a few radical roundish 
leaves laying close to the ground ; the next year 
it produces the stern, branches and seeds. The 
leaves and roots of the first year are as powerful 
as the mature plant, excepting the seeds, which 
are the strongest. 

The whole plant is acrid and nauseous, produc- 
ing salivation ; whence we suppose, originated 
the mistaken supposition that it causes the slavers 
in horses and cattle. It is not known to produce 
this affection ; but on the contrary, horses and 
cattle are affected in this way when feeding on 
pasture grounds where this invaluable herb does 
not grow. 

The lobelia is the most valuable and efficient 
emetic known ; its full merits being scarcely ap- 
preciated even by those who are in the habit of 
making frequent use of it. It also acts as a sudo- 
rific, expectorant, and diffusable stimulant ; and 
for the relief and even cure of asthma, and as an 
antispasmodic, its equal has not yet come to the 
knowledge of the world. As a stimulant it ex- 
tends its effects to every part of the system, re- 
moving obstructions and restoring a healthy action, 
wherever the one exists, or the other is needed, — 
Its action or effects may often, be sensibly felt or 
known by a pricking sensation over the system, 
particularly in the fingers and toes, frequently at- 
tended by another singular sensation, comparable 
to the purring of a cat. Professor Rafinesque 



63 

says that some of the medicinal properties of lo- 
belia were known to the Indians ; it being used 
by them to clear the stomach and head in their 
great councils. 

A diversity of symptoms attend the operation 
of lobelia emetics, evincing the magnitude of its 
power and the surprising energy of its operation 
on the human system, which often terrify those 
who are unacquainted with its superior and as- 
tonishing influence and efficacy in arresting dis- 
eased action, and restoring health and harmony 
to the human machine. lis effects are different 
on different individuals, and upon the same indi- 
vidual at different times. Sometimes there will 
be severe pain in the stomach and bowels ; strange, 
agitated and indiscribable, but not always unpleas- 
ant sensations. Convulsive motions of the lower 
jaw, often attended with a convulsive breathing, like 
the sobbing of a child. General distress, or uni- 
versal sickening feeling. Sometimes perfectly easy 
and quiet, without the power to move hand or foot, 
or even of rolling the eyeballs in their sockets ; 
and at other times great restlessness and anxiety, 
with symptoms of a most alarming character, pre- 
vailed. In some instances the countenance be- 
comes pale, and the skin cold, with the appear- 
ance of approaching death ; whilst in others the 
countenance assumes a florid appearance, bearing 
the marks of health. 

These symptoms, together with a great variety 
of others which it would be impossible to describe, 
are very alarming to those who are unacquainted 
with the lobelia ; and we mention them here in 
order to guard such, against unnecessary fears 
from their occurrence. The practitioner and pa- 
tient may be assured that we have neyer seen nor 
known of any instance in which those alarming" 



64 

symptoms produced, or were followed by, any per- 
manently bad effects. Dr. Thomson, who claims 
the honor of first introducing the lobelia into gen- 
eral notice, speaking of them, says, " they appear 
to be the effects of the last struggle of disease, and 
are a certain evidence of a favorable turn of the 
disorder. 3 ' However we may disagree with Dr. 
Thomson in calling that a cause which is only an 
effect, we must acknowledge that he has hereby 
furnished us with a valuable hint. The alarming 
effects of lobelia are probably caused by the resto- 
ration of a healthy action to diseased parts which 
have long been accustomed to a morbid sensibility 
and a diseased action. A healthy operation be- 
ing thus suddenly restored, and the organs not be- 
ing properly prepared to receive the new impulse, 
an unusual and oftentimes alarming train of symp- 
toms are produced. But this state is generally of 
short duration ; the organs soon become accus- 
tomed to their new and healthy action, the pertur- 
bation of nature subsides, and the patient feels no 
ill effects from the previous unpleasant symptoms. 
And what still further confirms these views is, that 
those alarming symptoms are almost always fol- 
lowed by a more rapid improvement of health, and 
are, therefore, to be regarded as indications favor- 
able to the prospects of a speedy recovery. 

As an antidote to poisons of all kinds, whether 
animal or vegetable, the lobelia stands unrivalled; 
particularly in the cure of hydrophobia. Several 
well attested cases of cures of this terrible and fa- 
tal disease, have come to our- knowledge, one of 
which occured in the city of Cincinnati, an ac- 
count whereof is published in the appendix to this 
volume. 

The lobelia is used in powder, infusion, or tine- 



65 

ture, of the leaves and pods, or the seeds, either 
simply by itself or compounded with other articles. 
The best time to gether it is in the fall, when the 
leaves are beginning to turn yellow, as the seed is 
then ripe, and we have the advantage of the whole 
plant. For preparation and doses, see under the 
heads of compounds, and course of medicine." 



VALERIAN, NERVE POWDER, LADIES SLIPPER, 
WHIPO' WILL SHOE. 

[Indian Name — Adam and Eve.] 

This plant grows in various parts of New En- 
gland, and in various parts of the United States. 
It is found in the woodland and swampy ground. 
It grows and spreads the leaves on the ground. 
A single stalk runs up about one foot, and bears 
one singular looking flower ; and the root is of great 
use to the sick, whether male or female. Dr. 
Thatcher gives the following account of it, page 
360. Wild Valerian. The root. 

" This plant is perennial, (continuing for sever- 
al years) and grows wild in England. The root, 
which is the part used in medicine, consists of a 
number of fibres matted together, and attached to 
one head ; of a brown color, having a strong and 
unpleasant smell, and a warm bitter taste. Its ac- 
tive matter is extracted equally by water and by 
alcohol. Its infusion changes color, on the addi- 
tion of sulphate of iron. By distillation, water is 
impregnated with its flavor, but not with its taste. 
No essential oil is obtained. 

Valerian is one of the principal modern antis- 
pasmodics, (having power to relieve cramp, con- 
vulsions, &c.) and is used with advantage in cho- 



60 

rea, epilepsy and hemicrania. Some recommend 
it as useful in procuring sleep, particularly in fev- 
er, even when opium fails : but it is principally 
useful in nervious and hysterical affections. The 
common dose is from a scruple to a drachm in 
powder, and in infusion, from one to two drachms 
three or four times in a day, which is increased 
gradually, as far as the stomach can bear it. Its 
unpleasant flavor is most effectually covered by a 
suitable addition of mace. Valerian is lately 
found in abundance on the borders of the Ohio 
river, not inferior to that imported from Europe." 
American Valerian is superior to European. 

The Valerian, or nerve Powder, which I have 
found very useful, grows in various parts of New 
England, and may be easily found. My manner 
of preparing and using it is as follows : — the root 
must be dried and pounded fine, and sifted thro' 
a fine seive, and done up in a tight box, or bottle 
for use. 

In many cases where the emetic is given this 
ought to be used, particularly where people are 
what is called nervous. Half a teaspoonful with 
every dose of the emetic may be given when the 
tea is cool enough to drink. When an injection 
is given, this powder, from half to an whole tea- 
spoonful, should always be given. It serves to 
quiet the nerves, prevent spasms, and procures ea- 
sy sleep, without stupifying. When a person can 
not sleep, put a teaspoonful of this powder into one 
tea cup full of strong penny royal tea, warm enough 
to drink, and take it when in bed at night, and it 
will cause an easy refreshing sleep. 



BARBERRY— THE BARK OF THE ROOT. 

This is generally known, having the resemblance 



67 

of briars. The fruit, when ripe is red, and very 
sour. The berries are good for digestion, as they 
help the digestive powers, being preserved, and 
eaton, or used in water to drink. The bark of 
the root is a good bitter when boiled in water ; es- 
pecially when a person is troubled with a relax. 
In costiveness it ought not to be used, being too 
much of an astringent. 

Culpepper says, that the inner rind of the bark 
is good, made into a strong tea, to cure scabs, itch, 
tetters, ring-worms and yellow jaundice. 



BITTER ROOT. 

This root produces a stalk somewhat resem- 
bling buck-wheat, with white flowers ; the stalk 
rises about two feet. It is found in various parts 
of New England. The root only is the part for 
medicine. The root is very bitter, and a good 
corrector of the digestive powers. It must be ga- 
thered, dried and pounded fine, and sifted through 
a fine sieve. It is an excellent medicine for cos- 
tiveness, as it does not relax, but move the bowels 
as they ought to be moved. A tea spoonful of this 
powder given in warm water, ,or with the vegeta- 
ble powder, is a remedy in costiveness. If one tea 
spoonful does not answer, take another, night and 
morning, until relief is obtained. I have known 
several people, who were for years obliged to take 
physic to have a discharge from the bowels ; who 
after taking this powder awhile, have become en- 
tirely regular. 

Bitter Root, is an excellent remedy for cold in 
the head, to be used in powder as snuff. In cos- 
tive cases, I have frequently added two tea spoon-* 
fut to one junk bottle of the vegetable bitters, 
9 



68 

which has helped the digestion, wholly removed 
costiveness, which before had been obstinate and 
of long continuance. 



SLIPPERY ELM.— THE INNER BARK. 

There are two kinds of Elm in America. The 
white, or rough elm, and the slippery elm. There 
are two kinds of slippery elm ; one, the bark is 
tough ; the other is tender, and easily made into 
a powder. The brittle kind is the best, and most 
suitable for medicine. The other is good, but by 
no means equal to this. To prepare this, the ross 
or outside should be shaved off; when it is dry, 
it should be pounded in a mortar, and then sifted 
for use. It may be chewed and swallowed, or 
made into a tea. It is found in various parts of 
Vermont. 

Dr. Mitchell says, it has been beneficially ad- 
ministered in catarrhs, pleurisies and quinsies ; it 
has been applied as a poultice to tumours, and as 
a liniment to chaps and festers. 

Dr. Thatcher gives the following account of it, 
in his Dispensatory, page 358. 

" The surgeons of our revolutionary army, and 
also those of general Wayne's army, who defeated 
the Indians in August, 1794, experienced the 
most happy effects from the application of poulti- 
ces of elm bark to gun shot wounds, which were 
soon brought to a good suppuration, and to a dis- 
position to heal. It was applied as the first reme- 
dy. When tendency to mortification was evident, 
this bark bruised and boiled in water, produced 
the most surprising good effects. After repeated 
comparative experiments with other emollient ap- 
plications, as milk and bread, and a linseed poul- 



69 

tice, its superiority was firmly established. In old 
ill-conditioned u\cers, and in flesh burns, equal 
benefit was derived from it. The infusion of the 
bark was used with advantage as a diet drink, in 
pleurisy and catarrh, and also in diarrhoea, and 
dysentery." 

Many of the above facts relative to the medici- 
nal qualities of the red elm, were communicated, 
says the editor of the Domestic Encyclopedia, by 
Dr. Joseph Strong of Philadelphia, who served as 
surgeon in the western army ; and adds, as a proof 
of the neutriment which it affords, that a soldier 
who lost his way, supported himself for ten days 
upon this mucilage and sassafras. The editor of 
the above mentioned work, proceeds to observe, 
that the red elm tree may be considered as a high- 
ly valuable addition to our stock of medicines, ex- 
clusively American and ought to be carefully 
searched for by the medical gentlemen in the 
country, and preserved from the indiscriminate 
axe. 

The inner bark of the slippery elm, or its mu- 
cilage, has been found by recent experience to be 
singularly beneficial when applied to chillblains, 
cutaneous eruptions, and various kinds of sores 
and ulcers ; and there is much reason to believe, 
that its internal use in dysentary, consumption, 
&/C may be attended with greater advantage than 
is generally imagined. This tree certainly may 
be recommended to the particular regard of medi- 
cal practitioners as a new and domestic article of 
our Materia Medica, whose medicinal virtues will 
probably be found to merit a large share of confi- 
dence. 

In my practice of medicine for several years 
past, I have found the inner bark of the elm of 



70 

great use to the sick. It ought to be pounded 
line, and taken so. My manner of using it inter- 
nally is the following :— Take an heaping tea 
spoonful of it in a tea cup, mix it with as much 
sugar, and work it awhile with a spoon, then pour 
in cold water, and stir or beat it, till the lumps 
are gone, and it begins to thicken ; then add boil- 
ing water, and stir it till it is thick enough to eat 
with a spoon. If more agreeable to drink it, 
make it thin with hot water, and drink from half 
to a an whole tumbler full. This preparation is 
good to heal soreness in the throat, stomach and 
bowels, caused by canker ; to restore an appetite 
when lost by canker, which has injured the coats 
of the stomach It is an excellent thing for wo- 
men to take for a month or six weeks before the 
birth of children, as it makes the birth of the child 
much more easy and safe than without it. 

The elm is an excellent thing for a poultice, as 
it is very soft and healing. A poultice of it applied 
to the eyes, in an inflammation is good, as there is 
no danger of injuring them by it. There is no 
doubt of its excellence in all the cases mentioned 
by the authors quoted in the above account of slip- 
pery elm. 

RED CLOVER. THE HEADS. 

The heads of red clover, boiled down to the 
thickness of tar, is a powerful medicine for old ob- 
stinate ulcers, sores, cracks in the lips, &c. The 
manner of preparing it, is the following :— Fill a 
brass kettle with the heads when they are in bloom, 
boil them well, and squeeze them ; then fill the 
kettle again with heads and boil them in the 
same water ; then squeeze them, afterwards boil 



71 

It down to the thickness of tar, when it is fit for 
use. Spread it on soft leather, or bladder split 
thin/and apply it to the part affected. 

SKUNK CABBAGE.— THE ROOT. 

This plant grows in swamps and meadows, all 
over New England, and is a native plant of North 
America only. Its name is derived from its smell 
and appearance. The smell of a skunk and the 
leaves resembling cabbage. It grows up without 
any stalk, and is by this distinguished from white 
hellebore or poke root, which is poisonous. The 
root only is valuable. It should be split and dri- 
ed, which takes out the rank smell. There is no 
disagreeable smell in the dried root ; which for 
tase must be pounded or grated fine. 

This root is excellent for a cough, by being grat- 
ed on honey and swallowed. I know a woman 
much afflicted with a cough, she grated about half 
a tea spoonful of this root on a half a table spoon 
of honey for a few days, taking this quantity every 
morning before breakfast, and in a short time was 
entirely cured. 

The principal use I make of it besides this, is 
in the cough powder. [See cough powder.] 

The following account of skunk cabbage is re- 
commended to our readers from Thatcher's Dis- 
pensatory, page 151. " This valuable domestic 
article is found to be well deserving of a place in 
our Materia Medica, and may be ranked high in 
the class of antispasmodics. The roots dried and 
powdered have proved of excellent use in asthma- 
tic cases, and often afforded relief in this distress- 
ing disease, when other means are ineffectual. — - 
It should be exhibited during the paroxysm, and 
9* 



repeated as circumstances may require, in closer 
of thirty to forty grains. It will be proper to per- 
severe in the use of it for some time after the pa- 
roxysm has gone off, or till the patient is perfect- 
ly recovered, which is said to have been the me- 
thod pursued by the Indians for the cure of this 
disease. 

" The Rev. Dr. Cutler has announced his o~ 
pinion of its efficacy as experienced in his own 
particular case, after other remedies had disap- 
pointed his expectations. The antispasmodic 
power of the skunk cabbage root have been dis- 
played when prescribed in other diseases. In one 
of the most violent hysteric cases I ever met with, 
says a correspondent, where the usual antispasmo- 
docs and even musk had failed, two tea spoonsful 
of the powdered root in spirits and water procured 
immediate relief, and on repeating the trials with 
the same patient, it afforded more lasting benefit 
than any other medicine. 

" In these spasms frequently affecting the ab- 
dominal muscles in purturition, he adds, it produ- 
ces the desired effect in doses of one tea spoonful 
repeated occasionally. In numerous other in- 
stances of spasmodic affection, and also in chronic 
and acute rheumatism, this root, either in powder 
or decoction, has evinced its efficacy, and per- 
formed important cures, as attested by good au- 
thority, in confirmation of my own experience. — 
Two instances have been stated in which this me- 
dicine has been supposed to be remarkably effica- 
cious in the case of dropsy ; two tea spoonful of 
the powdered root being taken every morning suc- 
cessively till the cure was effected. The seeds of 
this plant are said by some to afford more relief in 
asthmatic cases than the root." 



73 

Note* — Notwithstanding all the good properties 
said to be contained in this root, there is danger 
of an extreme in the use of it. Not long ago, a 
Doctor directed a young man to make a syrup of 
it, and drink freely of the same. He drank it un- 
til his throat swelled, his cough increased, and it 
was thought he was incurable. I visited him, 
gave him several emetics, and he revived. A lit- 
tle of it in molasses, or in the cough powder is 
good, but much of it is injurious. 



PEPPERMINT THE HERB. 

This is a warming herb, and good in cases of 
cold. " The leaves have a strong, rather disa- 
greeable smell, and an intensely pungent aromatic 
taste, resembling that of pepper, and accompanied 
with a peculiar sensation of coldness. They af- 
ford an essential oil, rich in the aromatic quality 
of the herb. It also contains a small portion of 
camphor. 

" Peppermint is used as a stimulent and carmi- 
native, to obviate nausea or griping, or to relieve 
the symptoms resulting from flatulence. It is also 
an excellent stomachic, of great use in flatulent 
cholics, languors, and hysteric cases, and in vom- 
iting. It is used under the forms of the watery 
infusion, the distilled water, and the essential oil. 
This last being dissolved in a due portion of rec- 
tified spirit of wine, and colored with green grass, 
forms the essence of peppermint of the shops ; a 
fashionable and pleasant carminative, which, when 
taken on sugar, imparts a glowing taste, sinking 
into the tongue, and extending its effects through 
the whole system, instantly communicating a glow- 
ing warmth." 



74 



PENNYROYAL— THE HERB AND FLOWERS. 

This is an excellent herb, and its virtue ought 
to be understood by all. It is generally known in 
Europe and America, as containing valuable pro- 
perties. Dioscorides, an ancient author, gives 
the following account of it. " Pennyroyal is good 
to make thin and loosen tough phlegm, to take 
away coldness from any part of the body and to di- 
gest raw or corrupt matter in the stomach. Made 
into a strong tea, it removes female obstructions 
and afterbirths, is good to remove sickness from 
the stomach, and to prevent vomiting. Taken 
with honey, it is good to clear the lungs and bow- 
els, of cold. Applied to the nostrils with vinegar, 
it revives such as are subject to fainting. Being 
dried and burnt it is good to cleanse the gums. — 
The green herb bruised and put in vinegar, is 
good to cleanse foul sores and to take away marks 
and bruises about the eyes, and redness of the face 
by being too long near the fire." 

Pliny says it is good to help fainting, to ease 
pain in the head, breast and bowels, and to pre- 
vent gnawing in the stomach, He also says, it is 
good in cramps, convulsions, &c. Boiled in milk 
it is good for a cough, and for ulcers and sores in 
the mouth. Mathiolus says, that a decoction of 
it helps the jaundice, dropsy, pains in the head, 
sinews, &>c. 

My way of using the tea of this herb is, to give 
the emetic in, according to the direction for using 
the lobelia, to warm and cleanse the stomach. It 
is the best tea I can find to make the ematic ope- 
rate. It prevents spasms and hysteric affections, 
by being given to women who are subject to these 



75 

complaints, while going through a course of me- 
dicine. Often in attending young children, this 
sweetened, and the emetic, is all necessary to give 
them, to clear the whole system of cold, and other 
difficulties attending them. 

Pennyroyal is an herb found in almost all parts 
of the world where men live, which shews that it 
ought freely to be used in all cases of cold and 
sickness, instead of the poisonous plants and min- 
erals now in use, among the fashionable part of the 
world. 



PEACH LEAVES. ..STONES. 

The leaves and meat of the stones are* of great 
use to the sick, though but little attended to in 
this country. A strong tea made of the leaves are 
excellent for the cholic, and such like complaints 
peculiar to children and young people. The 
leaves dried and powdered, are good to stop blood 
and heal wounds. They are useful for a cough, 
or shortness of breath, and to remove hoarseness, 
and for defects in the lungs, and such as raise 
blood. 

The meat of the peach stone is an excellent 
medicine to assist, or restore the digestion, and re- 
move pain in the stomach and bowels 

Peachmeats pounded fine, and boiled in vinegar, 
until they are considerably thick, are good applied 
to the head, to cause the hair to grow on bald pla- 
ces, and parts where it is too thin, according to 
Culpeppe? 's account of it. 



POPLAR BARK OF THE ROOT OR TREE. 

There are three kinds of poplar in this coun- 



76 

try ; the lombardy, which have been considered 
ornamental trees — the black poplar which is tall, 
the limbs long and tough — the white poplar, this 
is the best for medicine. The black is good, but 
not so strong as the white ; this, the bark is 
smooth, and in the upper part white ; the branch- 
es are short and brittle. 

The inner bark of the trunk or root is a most 
excellent bitter, either by itself, in a strong tea, or 
compounded with other bitter herbs, barks or roots. 
There is perhaps no one thing better to help the 
digestion than this bark. It is good in all con- 
sumptive cases, and in what is called the jaun- 
dice, made into a strong tea, and drank freely sev- 
eral times in a day. Not long ago, a man from 
the Cape came to see me, and said he believed he 
must soon go with the consumption, without im- 
mediate relief. He bought five pounds of this 
bark pulverized, and drank it freely for many 
weeks. He recovered his health, and is now as 
well as any man, and able to attend to his busi- 
ness. In the year 1821, I attended a man in 
Providence, R. I. supposed to be in a quick con- 
sumption. After attending him through three re- 
gular courses of medicine in ten days, I directed 
him to drink this tea ; which he did. In three 
weeks he was able to work, and has enjoyed good 
health from that time. 



CHOCOLATE ROOT THE ROOT. 

This is by some called evan root ; and choco- 
late root, because it resembles chocolate in taste. 
This is an healthy root, and many wise people in 
the country drink it instead of tea or coffee. In 
all cases of canker, this is good for young or old* 



77 

it should be gathered, washed, dried and pound- 
ed fine for use. 



SUMAC... COMMONLY CALLED SHUMAKE.. THE LEAVES. 
BERRIES, AND BARK OF THE TRUNK OR ROOTS. 

This plant as medicinal, is either unknown to 
the American Doctors, or else disowned— Dr. 
Thatcher does not mention it, nor Culpepper. — 
The leaves, berries, and bark, are all good to re- 
move canker, made into a strong tea, and drank 
freely. It is useful in gravel, and stranguary, as 
it serves to remove obstructions, and to cause the 
water to go off freely. In cases, where the stom- 
ach needs souring, the berries are best ; where 
stoppage of water is the complaint, the leaves and 
bark are the most suitable. 

The bark should be pealed, when the sap is 
free; the leaves gathered, when they are full 
grown, and the berries, when they are ripe.or turn- 
ed red ; and each of them should be dried in the 
sun, and kept dry for use. 



RED RASPBERRY LEAVES. 

This plant receives its name from the colour 
of the fruit which is red. Another kind bears 
black berries. This plant is not mentioned in 
Thatcher's Dispensatory. This belongs to the 
class of plants good for canker. The leaves 
made into a strong tea, are good to remove canker 
from the mouth, throat, stomach, bowels, and oth- 
er parts of the body. In the dysentery, it is very 
useful. In the first stages of that disease, I have 
known people wholly cured with a strong tea made 
of the leaves. 



When a canker poultice is needed, this tea is 
good to make it*witb ; and in a burn, a strong tea 
thickened with pounded Elm, is useful; and 
for all sores where canker appears, this is good to 
wash them with. Children who have sore mouths, 
or are otherwise troubled with canker humors, 
ought to drink this tea freely and for a considera- 
ble time. It is a useful tea for children, to take 
with the emetic when it is given. 



WILD CHERRY STONES AND MEAT. 

Wild cherry stones, dried and pounded fine, 
with other articles, make an excellent cordial, to 
be taken after disentery, or whenever the digestive 
powers need restoring. The cherries dried and 
pounded with the stones and steeped in hot 
water with loaf sugar and brandy, are good 
for such as lack an appetite, when the digestive 
powers are weakened. This preparation is said 
to be useful in gravel, and where people are troub- 
led with wind in their stomach and bowels. 



BLACK BIRCH... INNER BARK. 

The bark of this tree, is said to be a good medi- 
cine for the gravel and sore mouth, when made in- 
to a strong tea. It grows plentifully in Vermont. 
A strong tea of it, is good to make a cherry or a 
peachmeat cordial. 



BURDOCK.. ..LEAVES, SEED AND ROOT. 

This herb is generally known. The following 
description of burdock is given by Culpepper in 
the following words, and is worthy of attention: — 



79 

"The burdock leaves are cooling, moderately 
drying, and discussing withal, whereby it is good 
for old ulcers and sores. A drachm of the roots 
taken with pine kernels, helpeth them that spit 
foul, mattery and bloody phlegm. The leaves ap- 
plied to the places troubled with the shrinking of 
the sinews, or arteries, give much ease. The 
juice of the leaves, rather the roots themselves, 
given to drink with old wine, doth wonderfully 
help the biting of any serpents : And the root 
beaten with a little salt, and laid on the place, sud- 
denly eases the pain thereof, and helpeth those 
that are bit by a mad dog. The juice of the 
leaves being drank with honey, provoketh urine, 
and remedieth the pain of the bladder. The 
seed being drank in wine forty days together, doth 
wonderfully help the sciatica. The leaves bruised 
with the white of an egg and applied to a ay place 
burnt with fire, taketh out the fire, gives sudden 
ease, and heals it up afterwards. The decoction 
of them fomented on any fretting sore or canker, 
stayeth the corroding quality, which must be after- 
wards anointed with an ointment made of the 
same liquor, hog's grease, and vinegar boiled to- 
gether. The roots may be preserved with sugar, 
and taken fasting, or at other times, for the same 
purposes, and for consumptions, the stone, and the 
lask. The seed is much commended to break the 
stone, and cause it to be expelled by urine, and is 
often used with other seeds, and things to that 
purpose." 



MULLEN LEAVES. 

This is a plant so common, that there is no 
need of a description of it. I here give the read- 

10 



§0 

er an account of it as a medicine, published by an 
English author, in the year 1681. It is given m 
the style of writing in that day. 

"A small quantity of the root given in wine, is 
commended by Dioscorides against lasks and flux- 
es of the belly. The decoction hereof drank is 
profitable for them that are bursten, and for 
cramps and convulsions, and for those that are 
troubled with an old cough. The decoction thereof 
gargled, easeth the pain of the tooth ache. An 
oil made by the often infusion of the flowers, is of 
very good effect for the piles. The decoction 
of the root in red wine, or in water, (if there be 
an ague) wherein red hot steel hath been often 
quenched, doth stay the bloody flux. The same 
also openeth obstructions of the bladder and reins 
when one cannot make water. A decoction of the 
leaves hereof, and sage, marjerom and chamomile 
flowers, and the places bathed therewith that have 
sinews shrunk with cold or cramps, doth bring 
them much ease and comfort. 

"Three ounces of the distilled water of the 
flowers drunk morning and evening for some days 
together, is said to be the most excellent remedy 
for the gout. The juice of the leaves and flowers 
being laid upon rough warts, as also the powder of 
the dried roots rubbed on, doth easily take 
them away, but doth no good to smooth warts. 

"The powder of the dried flowers is an especial 
remedy for those that are troubled with belly ache, 
or the pains of the cholick. The decoction of the 
root, and so likewise of the leaves, is great effect 
to dissolve the tumours, swellings, or inflammation 
of the throat. The seed and leaves boiled in 
wine, and applied, draw forth speedily thorns or 
splinters gotten into the flesh, ease the pain, and 



81 

heal them also. The leaves bruised and wrapped 
in double papers, and covered with hot ashes and 
embers to bake awhile, and then taken forth and 
then laid warm on any botch or boyl happening in 
the groin or share, doth dissolve and heal them.— 
The seed bruised and boiled in wine, and laid on 
any member that hath been out of joint, and is 
newly set again, taketh away all swelling and pain 
thereof." 

Every one who reads and understands the above 
description of mullen, must be convinced that it is 
of importance to have it where they can apply 
the same when needed. 



BITTER SWEET. 

This plant was anciently called Amaradulcis, 
morraly woody-night shade, felonwort. It grows 
wild in moist hedges; and has woody, brittle 
stalks, and climbs on bushes. But if there be no 
shrubs, it creeps along the ground, and frequently 
strikes new roots. It flowers in the months of 
June and July. The taste of the twigs and roots, 
as the name of the plant expresses it, is both bit- 
ter and sweet ; the bitter being first perceived, 
and then the sweetness. Dr. Thatcher says it 
was formerly in much esteem as a powerful medi- 
cine ; though at present, the doctors appear to be 
unacquainted with its excellence. 

The following extracts from Culpepper's writ- 
ings, printed in the year 1681, will shew the 
esteem people had for it at that time, in England 
and Germany. 

Being tied about the neck, is a most excellent 
remedy for vertigo or dizziness in the head.- — 
"The country people commonly used to take the 



82 

berries of it, and having bruised them, they apply 
them to felons, and thereby soon rid their fingers 
of such troublesome guests." 

"We have now shewed you the external use of 
the herb, we shall speak a word or two of the in- 
ternal, * and so conclude. Take a pound of the 
wood and leaves together, bruise or pound the 
wood and leaves together, then put them in a pot, 
and put to it three pints of white wine, put on the 
pot lid, and shut it close, then let it infuse hot 
over a gentle fire twelve hours, then strain it out, 
so have you a most excellent drink to open ob- 
structions of the liver and spleene, to help difficul- 
ty of breath, bruises and falls, and congealed 
blood in any part of the body ; to help the yellow 
jaundice, the dropsy, and black jaundice, and to 
relieve women newly brought to bed. You may 
drink a quarter of a pint (a gill) of the infusion 
every morning. It purgeth the body very gently, 
and not churlishly as some hold." The bark of 
the root is of great use as a part of a preparation 
for removing callouses, corns, &>c. 

[See Vegetable Ointment. ,] 

WORMWOOD.. ..LEAVES AND FLOWERS. 

This is a common herb, known generally. It 
grows by the way side, on mountains, and in gar- 
dens, and is plenty in America. It is a hot dry 
herb, as hot as the blood. It is good to give in 
stranguary, surfeits, swellings ; to restore the ap- 
petite, and for the jaundice ; and to remove swell- 
ings from the bowels. 



HOPS. 

The following account of the medicinal prop- 



83 

erties of hops, is from Culpepper. Hops in phy- 
sical operations are used to open obstructions of 
the liver, to cleanse the blood, to loosen the bow- 
els, to remove the gravel and stranguary. The 
decoction of the tops of hops, is useful to cleanse 
the blood, to remove scabs and breakings out of 
the body, as also tetters, ring worms and spread- 
ing sores. The decoction of the flowers and tops, 
are useful in expelling poison. A syrup made of 
the juice, and sugar is good for the yellow jaun- 
dice : it easeth the headach, caused by heat, tem- 
pers the heat of the liver and stomach. 



JUNIPER BUSH. 

This is a bush generally known. We give the 
following account of it from Culpepper , — 

This admirable Solar shrub, is scarcely to be 
paralleled for its virtues. The berries are hot in 
the third degree, and dry but in the first, being a 
most admirable counter poison, and as great a re- 
sister of the pestilence as any that grows, and is 
good against the bitings of venomous beasts, and 
good in the stranguary. It is so powerful a rem- 
edy against the dropsy, that a lye made of the ash- 
es and drank, is of great use. It helps the terms 
in women, and fits of the mother. It strengthens 
the„ stomach, expels wind ; there is scarcely a bet- 
ter remedy for wind in any part of the body, than 
the oil of juniper taken from the berries. Such 
people as do not know how to get the oil, may eat 
ten or a dozen of the ripe berries every morning 
fasting. They are good for a cough, shortness of 
breath, consumption, pain in the bowels, ruptures, 
cramps and convulsions. They give safe and 
speedy deliverance to women with child, strength- 
10* 



84 

en the brain, help the memory, and help the sight 
by strengthening the optic nerves. They are 
good in all sorts of agues; they help the gout, and 
strengthen all the limbs of the body. The ber- 
ries are good for the piles, stone, to procure an ap- 
petite, for palsies, and falling sickness. 

The berries are not ripe the first year; but con- 
tinue green two summers and one winter before 
they are ripe, at which time, they are of a black- 
ish colour, and therefore you will always find up- 
on the bush green berries. When the leaves fall 
off, the berries are ripe. 



GUM MYRRH. 

This is a gummy risinous concrete juice, ob-- 
tained from a shrub growing in the East Indias. 
The best myrrh is somewhat transparent, of an 
uniform brownish, or reddish yellow colour ; of a 
slightly pungent, bitter taste ; with a strong aro- 
matic, not disagreeable odour, though nauseous 
to the palate." The following account of its med- 
ical properties, are taken from the Encyclopedia* 
(Art. Myrrh.) 

*' The medical effects of this aromatic bitter, 
are to warm and strengthen the vicera ; it fre- 
quently occasions a mild diaphorisis, and promotes 
the fluid secretions in general. Hence it proves 
serviceable in languid cases, diseases arising frtmi 
simple inactivity ; those female disorders which 
proceed from a cold, mumps, sluggish indisposition 
of the humours, suppressions of the uterine dis- 
charges, cachetic disorders, and where the lungs 
and throat are oppressed by viscid phlegm. 

" Myrrh is likewise supposed in a peculiar 

manner to resist putrifaction in all parts of the 

Jx>dy ; and in this light stands recommended in 



85 

malignant, putrid and pestilential fevers, and in a 
small pox, in which last, it is said to accelerate 
the eruption/' 

The tincture of myrrh has long been in use, 
and is of great help to the sick. 

The following account of the tincture of myrrh, 
is from Thatcher's Dispensatory, p. 510, which 
shews that myrrh is a good article as a medicine. 

" Tincture of Myrrh is recommended internal- 
ly for warming the habit, attenuating viscid juices, 
strengthening the solids, opening obstructions, 
particularly those of the uterine vessels, and re- 
sisting putrifactions. The dose is from fifteen 
to forty drops, or more. It may perhaps be given 
in these cases with advantage, though it is more 
commonly used externally as a stimulent and an- 
tisceptic application for clearing foul ulcers, and 
promoting the exfoliation of carious bones." 

The common tincture of myrrh, is made in the 
following manner.— 

1. Myrrh, powdered fine, three ounces. 

2. Alcohol, twenty ounces. 

3. Water, ten ounces. 

Let them stand together seven days, and then 
strain it through brown paper. 

The doctors in general appear but little ac- 
quainted with the very useful properties of myrrh. 
It is warming, penetrating, cleansing, and pre- 
serving in its nature ; and by its effects in out- 
ward applications, it is easy to determine its opera- 
tion when taken internally. Pounded and put in- 
to brandy, it has often cured the dysentery, and I 
have frequently used it to prevent mortification in 
the bowels, and to remove other complaints. 
Take a piece of fresh meat, and let it lie for a 
while in the " tincture of myrrh " and it w r ill not 



86 

putrify. In my " vegetable elixir" this is one es- 
sential part of the compound ; a medicine, which 
will overcome more difficulties perhaps, in the hu- 
man body, than any other preparation now in use. 
[See vegetable elixir.] 



SPEARMINT. 

This is an herb generally known, and needs no 
description. Culpepper says, it is good to prevent 
vomiting, to ease pains in the ears, stomach, head, 
&c. It has an healing, drying quality. Should 
the lobelia emetica, (the herb mentioned in this 
book as one part of the compound vegetable eme- 
tic,) cause too much puking, which is seldom the 
case, a strong tea of spearmint w 7 ill prevent its op- 
eration, as it is the counter of this herb. 

People have often been taken with vomiting, 
which has continued long, and stopped it only by 
drinking spearmint tea. 



CHAMOMILE. 

Almost every person knows this herb, though 
but few know the virtue that it contains. The 
following is the amount of Culpepper's description 
of it ; which I think may be relied on. 

A decoction of tea, made of it and drank, will 
take away pain in the side. The flowers beaten 
and made into balls with oil, and taken, removes 
soreness. 

The Egyptians make great use of it, as a medi- 
cine, being a plant of the sun. It is good for 
agues and inflammations of the bowels. — Bathing 
with the decoction, takes away weariness, and 
easeth pain in any part of the body. 



87 

It is good for the sinews when overstrained, and 
is useful in swellings and callouses. It is good 
in cholic and stranguary, and dissolves the stone 
in the bladder. 

A syrup made of the juice of the herb and 
flowers, with white wine, is a remedy against the 
jaundice and dropsy. The oil of chamomile 
flowers or the herb, is of great use for hard swell- 
ings, pain, shrinking of the sinews, cramps and 
pains in the joints. As a clyster, it removes pain 
in the bowels. 

This, with bitter sweet and oil, makes a most 
excellent ointment for swellings, callouses, corns, 
&,c. — [See Vegetable Ointment.] 

GARDEN RUE. 

Culpepper gives the following account of iL 
He says it is good to help the menses, or bring 
them regular, and to remove a stoppage of urine. 
It removes pains in the chest and sides ; helps a 
cough, pain in the head, difficulty in breathing, 
inflammation of lungs, augues, cholic, by being 
made into a tea. Pounded and put into the nose, 
stops bleeding. 



TANSY. 



Dr. Thatcher gives the following account of 
tansy, page 356. Tansy is an indigenous native 
perennial^ (continuing for many years) growing 
by road sides and the borders of fields, and is also 
cultivated in gardens. Its yellow blossoms ap- 
pear in August. This plant possesses a warm 
bitter taste ; it is deobstruent, not ungrateful to 
the palate, and some have had a favourable 
opinion of it in hysteric disorders. The leaves 



88 

and seeds have been of considerable esteem as 
anthelmintics, and are given in doses of from one 
scruple to one drachm. If fresh meat be rubbed 
with the plant, it will be effectually preserved from 
the attacks of the flesh fly. 

Culpepper has given an extensive description of 
the excellencies of Tansy, in the following words : 

" The decoction of the common tansy, or the 
juice drank in wine, is a singular remedy for all 
the griefs that come by stopping of the urine, 
helpeth the stranguary, (or stoppage of water) 
and those that have weak reins and kidneys. It 
is also very profitable to expel wind from the 
stomach and bowels, and to relieve in female com- 
plaints, or obstructions peculiar to them. It is 
also useful to prevent abortions. The seed of tan- 
sy is good to give children that are troubled with 
worms, and the juice of the leaves in drink have 
the same effect." Tansy boiled in oil is good to 
annoint with, when the sinews are shrunk by cramp 
or pained by cold. 



HOREHOUND. 

This herb has for many years past been consid- 
ered an excellent thing for the sick, though at this 
time its goodness is but little known among people 
in general. Dr. Thatcher gives the following ac- 
count of it, page 200. " This is a perennial plant 
which grows wild on road sides, and among rub- 
bish. The leaves have a very strong, not disa- 
greeable smell, and roughish, very bitter taste. It 
is reputed to be both attenuant and resolvent ; an 
infusion of the leaves in water, sweetened with 
honey, is recommended in asthmatic and phthysi- 
cal complaints as well as in most other diseases 
of the breast and lungs. They promote the fluid 



89 

secretions in general, and liberally taken, loosens 
the bowels." 

Dr. Withering observes, < c that it was a favorite 
medicine with the ancients in obstructions of the 
viscera. He says, that it is the principal ingredi- 
ent in the negro Cesar's remedy for vegetable poi- 
sons. That a young man who had occasion to 
take mercurial medicines, was thrown into a sala- 
vation which continued for more than a year. Ev- 
ery method that was tried to remove it, rather in- 
creased the complaint. At length, Linneous pre- 
scribed an infusion of this plant, and the patient 
got well in a short time." 

The following account of horehound, is from 
Culpepper's writings. " A decoction of the dried 
herbs with the seed, or the juice of the green herb 
taken in honey, is a remedy for those who are 
short winded, or have a cough, or are consumptive 
either through long sickness or thin distillations 
of rheum upon the lungs. It helps to expectorate 
tough phlegm from the chest, being taken from 
the roots or iris or orris. It is given to such as 
have taken poison, or are stung or bitten by ser- 
pents. The leaves used with honey, purge foul 
ulcers, stay running sores, and the growing of flesh 
over the nails. 

The juice with wine and honey help to clear the 
eye sight. Galen says that horehound will remove 
obstructions from the liver . and melt, purgeth the 
breast and lungs of phlegm ; and used outwardly, 
it both cleanses and helps the digestion. Matthi- 
olus says, that a decoction of horehound is useful 
for diseased livers, and for itching and running 
tetters. The green leaves bruised and boiled in 
old hog's lard into an ointment, abates the swell- 
ings of women's breasts. A syrup made of hore- 



90 

hound, is very good to remove old coughs and 
tough phlegm, and for old people who are asthma- 
tic or short winded." 



PLANTAIN. 

Much has been said of this herb, though it is 
not generally known as a medicine. What is call- 
ed great plantain, grows common in fields and by 
the road side, and is generally known. Many peo- 
ple apply the bruised leaves of this herb to slight 
wounds, inflamed sores, and swellings, with a fav- 
orable effect. It was recorded in a Virginia pa- 
per, that a gentleman was bitten above the knee 
by a spider. A few minutes after he perceived a 
pain shooting upwards from the spot which soon 
reached his heart. A quantity of plantain was 
immediately gathered and bruised, and the juice 
squeezed out and swallowed, which stopped the 
progress of the poison, so that a cure of the bite 
was obtained immediately. 

The story of the battle between the spider and 
toad is generally known. I had the following from 
a man who saw the battle. He stated that in his 
field he observed a toad in quick motion from one 
place to another, which led him to see the cause. 
He noticed a large spider which stung the toad. 
As soon as he was stung, he applied to his medi- 
cine, the plantain leaf, which he would bite and 
return to the spider. After doing this several 
times, the man pulled up the plantain and held it 
in his hand. The toad soon returned, but his re- 
medy was gone ; in a few minutes he swelled and 
died. From this and other accounts, we may rest 
assured, that this herb is good in such cases. If 
it is good for a toad, it is good for a man in the 
same situation. 



91 

Culpepper has given a high recommendation of 
plantain, which he considers one of the best of all 
herbs which grows. We will here give a few ex- 
tracts frora him, and leave the reader to judge and 
act lor himself. 

The juice of plantain clarified and drank for 
several days, is excellent to remove pain in the 
bowels. It is good to stop bleeding at the mouth, 
or spitting blood, to cure discharges of bloody wa- 
ter from the reins or bladder, and to stop the bleed- 
ing of wounds. It is also considered good for such 
as are troubled with phthysic or consumption of 
the lungs, ulcers and consumptive coughs. Dais- 
corides says, that a decoction or powder of the 
roots or seed, is better for the above complaints, 
than the leaves. 

The clarified juice of plantain, dropped into 
the eyes will take out inflamation from them ; and 
dropped into the ears removes pain and helps to 
restore the hearing. The juice or decoction is 
useful in curing old ulcers, canker, and sores in 
the mouth, and the piles. When a bone has been 
out, this herb is good to prevent pain, swelling 
and inflamation. The powders of the dried leaves 
taken in drink, destroys worms, and boiled in 
white wine, destroys worms which breed in old 
and foul ulcers. 

One part of plantain water, and two parts of 
brine of powdered beef boiled together and 
clarified, (says Culpepper) is a most sure remedy 
for the cure of all spreading scabs, or itch in the 
head or body, and all manner of tetters, ring- 
worms, shingles, and all other kinds of running 
sores. Finally, the plantain is good to heal fresh 
or old wounds or sores; either outward or in- 
ward. 

11 



92 



WITCH HAZEL BARK AND LEAVES. 

Dr. Cutler says, this tree is a native of the 
United States. The Indians considered it a val- 
uable article in their materials for medicine. 
They applied the bark to painful tumours and ex- 
ternal inflamations. A poultice made of the inner 
rind of the bark, he says, is found to be very 
efficacious in removing painful inflamations from 
the eyes. 

A strong tea made of the leaves is excellent 
for the canker in the mouth, throat, stomach and 
bowels ; this tea thickened with pounded crack- 
ers, is excellent for a poultice, to apply to sores 
inflamed, and filled with canker, or what is com- 
monly called proud flesh. 



THOROUGH WORT. 

The leaves and flowers are the parts used as 
a medicine. In describing this valuable plant, I 
shall first give Dr. Thatcher's account of it in 
his Dispensatory, p> 217. " This is a native an- 
nual plant, flourishing abundantly in wet meadows, 
and other moist places. The stalk is hairy and 
rises from two to four feet, perferating the leaves 
at each joint, from which it is sometimes called 
thorough stalk or stem. The flowers are white, 
and appear in July and August, forming a corym- 
bus, at the termination of the branches. The 
leaves at each joint are horrizontal, serrated and 
rough, from three to four inches long, and about 
one inch broad at their base, gradually lessening 
to a very acute point of a dark green, and cover- 
ed with short hairs. 

" Thoroughwort certainly possesses active pro- 
perties, and deserves the attention of American 



93 

Physicians. It acts powerfully as a suderific and 
emetic, and sometimes as a purgative, and has 
been successfully employed in intermittents and 
other fevers, either in decoction or the leaves in 
powder. Every part of the plant may be ad- 
vantageously employed, though the flowers appear 
most active. 

il A watery infusion of the leaves is a powerful 
and not disagreeable bitter, and the flowers are 
deemed superior in this respect to those of chamo- 
mile, and ought to be kept in the shops. The 
dried leaves in powder, or made into pills, w T ith 
lenitive electuary, given in doses of. twelve or fif- 
teen grains, are of excellent effect as a mild laxa- 
tive, obviating costiveness without induring de- 
bility or heat ; correcting bile, and promoting 
perspiration." 

Another medical author gives the following ac- 
count of this herb. 

*'■ Thoroughwort, Thorough-stem, Thorough- 
wax, Cross-wort, Bone-set, Indian sage. Ague- 
weed. Vegetable antimony." 

" This article is very nauseously bitter to the 
taste. By different preparations and manage- 
ment, it may be made to produce a variety of ef- 
fects. A strong tea prepared by long steeping, or 
by boiling, and taken freely while warm, may, 
according to the quantity, be made either to pro- 
duce perspiration, and assist in raising phlegm 
from the lungs, or to purge or vomit. Taken 
cold, and in a more moderate quantity, it gives 
strength. In one or other of these methods it 
may be useful in common colds, influenza, ma- 
lignant pleurisy, low fever, agues, indigestion, and 
weakness in general, being managed as above di- 
rected, according to the effects desired," 



94 

We have reason to believe this a good and use- 
ful herb. Every person may feel safe in usuing it ' 
as mentioned in the above quotations. 

I have made use of thoroughwort as a medi- 
cine for several years, and found it a powerful 
remedy in many obstinate cases ; particularly in 
the preparation for bitters and pills, of which this 
is an impottant part. 

It is said to operate as an emetic and cathartic, 
Many think this cannot be. The fact is this, 
make a strong tea without boiling it, drink it 
warm, and it will operate as an emetic ; owing to 
an oil which has this effect. By boiling the tea 
for some time, this oil is thrown off, and then that 
which is physical operates, and by drinking it 
cool, causes a discharge from the bowels. In 
several preparations In this work, this herb will be 
mentioned, and the manner of preparing it for 
use. 



||; BUGLE OR ARCH ANGEL... .THE LEAVES AND 
FLOWERS. 

This herb is called Bugle, Middle Confrey, 
Brown Bugle, Sickle-wort, and Arch Angel. 

The following account of it is given by Cul- 
pepper. This has green leaves, some are green 
and some brown, dented upon the edge, and 
hairy, with a square stalk, and small burs on it. 
The stalk is from twelve to eighteen inches high, 

A decoction of the leaves and flowers made in 
white wine, and taken, dissolveth congealed 
blood, caused in those who are bruised inwardly 
by falls, and is useful for any inward wound, or 
stabs in the body or bowels, and for such as are 
troubled with what is called the liver complaint. 



95 

It is good for all kinds of sores and ulcers, 
though of long standing. The leaves bruised 
and applied to gangrenes, fistulas, made into a 
wash is of great use ; also to cure sores in the 
mouth and gums. It is so good for all sorts of 
hurts in the body, that no one who knows its use- 
fulness, will be content without it. 

Those who are troubled with strange dreams 
and with what is called the nightmare, may find 
great relief by using a syrup made of this herb. 
Culpepper says, " These I have cured by taking 
only two spoonfuls of the syrup of this herb, two 
hours after supper, when going to bed." 

This herb is good to add with other things in 
making the Vegetable Bitters ; (which see.) 

A good cordial may be made by taking bugle, 
wormwood, and horehound, equal parts ; make a 
strong tea, by boiling them together. When boil- 
ed, strain . off the tea ; for one junk bottle of it, 
add two ounces peachmeats pounded fine, four 
ounces loaf sugar, half an ounce of gum myrrh ; 
one gill brandy, if the person is relaxed, and if 
costive, one gill of Hollands gin. Take half a 
wine glass of it two or three times a day, before 
breakfast, dinner and supper. It is safe in all con- 
ditions. 



SAFFRON. 

Saffron is a bulbous rooted perennial plant, 
generally cultivated in European gardens. The 
smell of saffron is pleasant and aromatic, but a 
narcotic ; the taste a fine aromatic bitter. Saf- 
fron is remarkably fragrant, and is highly esteem- 
ed, as it exhilarates the spirits when taken in 
small doses ; but, if used in too large portions, it 
produces immoderate mirth, and all the conse- 
11* 



96 

quences resulting from the abuse of spirituous 
liquors. Saffron and Snakeroot, made into a tea 
is good to give children and grown people, when 
they are attacked with the measles, but the tea 
ought not to be very strong. 



LOVAGE. 



This is a plant generally known, and needs no 
description. 

Culpepper says, " Half a drachm at a time of 
the dried root, powdered, and taken in wine, 
warms the stomach, helps digestion, and removes 
pain from the same ; eases inward pains, gripings 
and wind. A tea made of the leaves is good to 
remove colds and agues. The seed for this pur- 
pose is more powerful than the leaves. 

The distilled water of the herb, helps the 
quinsy. Being dropped into the eyes it takes 
away redness and dimness from them ; and will 
remove spots and freckles from the face. 

The leaves bruised and fried with a little hog's 
lard, and laid warm on any bile will break it in a 
short time." 



MALLOWS AND MARSHMALLOWS. 

The following account of mallows is extracted 
from Culpepper's account of them. 

A decoction made of the seeds of mallows boil- 
ed in wine or milk, is good in cases of Phthisic 
Pleurisy, and other diseases of the lungs and 
chest. The leaves and roots have the same ef- 
fect. 

The leaves bruised with a little honey are good 
to lay on the eyes, and removes diseases from 



97 

them. A syrup made of them is good to remove 
costiveness. 

The leaves bruised and rubbed on places stung 
with bees, or wasps, takes away the pain, redness 
and swelling in a short time. 

The juice of mallows boiled in old oil, and ap- 
plied, takes away the roughness of the skin, scurf, 
dandruff, dry scabs in the head, or other, parts, 
and prevents the hair from coming off. 

It is also good to remove scalds, St. Anthony's 
Fire, and other painful swellings in any part of 
the body. 

Culpepper says that the Marshmallows are more 
powerful in the above complaints, than the com- 
mon mallows. He states that a strong tea made 
of the leaves, is good to loosen the bowels, for 
injections, to relieve in cases of gravel and Strang- 
uary. 

He says that at a certain time a kind of bloody 
flux prevailed in England, which the college of 
physicians called the plague of the bowels, which 
they could not cure. He says, "My son was 
taken with the same disease, and the excoriation 
of his bowels was exceeding great ; myself being 
in the country, was sent for ; the only thing I 
gave him was mallows bruised and boiled in milk, 
which he drank, and in two days (the blessing of 
God being upon it) it cured him. And I here, to 
shew my thankfulness to God, in communicating 
it to his creatures, leave it to posterity." 

In all such diseases, these two herbs may be us- 
ed with entire safety and good success. 



CUCUMBERS. 

If they were one degree colder, they would be 
poison ; but it is safe eating them in small quan- 
tities. They are good for a hot stomach, eaten 



98 

with salt, pepper and vinegar. The juice is good 
to cleanse the skin of the face. The seeds are 
good for stranguary > obstructions in the bladder, 
&c." 



P^MT II. 

EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN THE PREPARATION 
AND USE OF VEGETABLE MEDICINES. 

EMETICS, OR VOMITS. 

Before I proceed to a description of the emetic 
mentioned in this book, or rather the preparation 
which produces it, some introductory remarks are 
necessary. 

1. It is objected to, by many, that vomiting is 
unnatural, and of course injurious to man. An 
healthy emetic is not unnatural, nor injurious. 
We clear many things by bringing back. The 
young child vomits up the mother's milk without 
being sickened, and immediately is ready for more. 
When the stomach is full of cold and dead matter, 
by a suitable emetic, it may be immediately clear- 
ed and restored to its natural state. 

2. It is objected, that emetics frequently given, 
weaken the stomach, and injure the whole system. 
It is true th&t poison given for emetics has this ef- 
fect ; but the vegetables created for emetics, have 
a contrary effect ; they relieve ; they cure the 
sick. 

3. That emetics are useful, is allowed by al- 
most every man who has the name of a physician. 
Those considered the most learned Doctors, speak 
in favor of it. 



99 

Dr. Robert Hooper in his " Medical Dictiona- 
ry," gives the, following upon the subject : 

" Emetics (Emetica sc. Medicamenta : to vom- 
it.) Substances capable of exciting vomiting, in- 
dependently of any effect arising from the mere 
quantity of matter introduced into the stomach, or 
of any nauseous taste or flavor. 

The susceptibility of vomiting is very different 
in different individuals, and is often considerably 
varied by disease. 

Emetics are employed in many diseases. When 
any morbid affection depends upon, or is connect- 
ed with other distention of the stomach, or the pre- 
sence of acred, indigestible matters, vomiting gives 
speedy relief. Hence its utility in impaired appe- 
tites, acidity in the stomach, in intoxication, and 
where poisons have been swallowed. 

From the pressure of the abdominal viscera in 
vomiting, emetics have been considered as service- 
able in jaundice, arising from biliary calculi ob- 
structing the ducts. 

The expectorant power of emetics and their 
utility in catarrhs and phthisic, have been ascri- 
bed to a similar pressure extended the thoracvis- 
cera. 

In the different varieties of febrile affections, 
much advantage is derived from exciting vomit- 
ing especially in the very commencement of the 
disease. 

Emetics given in such doses, as only to excite 
nausea, have been found useful in restraining 
haemorrhage. 

Different species of dropsy have been cured by 
vomiting, from its having excited absorption. To 
the same effect, perhaps, is owing the dispersion 
of swelled testacies, bubo, and other swellings 



100 

which has occasionally resulted from this opera- 
tion. 

If an emetic operates only to clear the stomach, 
it can do but little good ; and frequently the com- 
mon emetics fail of this. They then sicken and 
frequently leave the sick man worse. Sometimes 
they operate till the patient dies. Indian root is 
often injurious, and tartar emetic is always poi- 
son. Hooper says, — " Tartar Emetic is obtained 
by boiling fuible oxyde of antimony with supertar- 
trate of potash ; the excess of tartaric acid dis- 
solves the oxyde, and a tripple salt is obtained by 
chrystalization. ?, 

The violent operations of these emetics have 
caused many to fear every kind of Emetic. 

The Emetic described in this work is very dif- 
ferent from those in common use among the reg- 
ular Doctors, especially in the following particu- 
lars : — 

1. They are always safe when given according 
to the directions in this book, either to children 
or adults. It never cramps the stomach , but in- 
fallibly removes cramp when applied for that pur- 
pose. It is perfectly safe given to females in the 
time of the courses, when they are stopped, or are 
troubled with too great a discharge, in the flour 
albus, &/C. It is safely given to females in every 
stage of pregnancy, from first to last, and will pre 
vent abortions, if seasonably administered. De- 
formed people who cannot take other emetics, 
may be sure of a benefit from this. 

2. It never disturbs the bile, unless it is dead ; 
then it throws it out of the stomach, nor does it 
ever convulse the stomach. 

3. It will not disturb the food in the stomach 
if it sets easy after being eaten. A person may 
eat his breakfast, go to bed, and take this emetic 



101 

in half an hour after eating, and vomit without 
bringing it up. If one part of the food worries 
the stomach, this emetic will bring up that part, 
and leave the remainder undisturbed. If the whole 
eaten disturbs the stomach, it will bring it all 
away and give him an appetite for more after the 
operation is over. This I have seen thousands of 
times. 

4. In addition to clearing the stomach, it is 
more or less diffused through the whole man, and 
operates to clear all parts from cold and filth. It 
warms, cleanses, and quickens the circulation of 
the blood, helps the digestion, removes obstruc- 
tions, and opens the pores. It does all needful 
for the sick, and distressed ; and was in the wis- 
dom of God, as certainly designed for the relief of 
the sick, as food and drink was designed for the 
hungry and thirsty. 

5. In one thing more, this Emetic differs from 
others ; that is, a man cannot take so much of it 
at one time as to injure his health. When he has 
taken enough for one time, he cannot swallow any 
more, it will come back. 

When a man is cleared of all disease by this 
emetic, and its attendant medicine, it will not ope- 
rate, but passes off, without any disagreeable ef- 
fect. It will not operate on a dying man, nor make 
a well man sick. Of course it is perfectly safe in 
air conditions, if administered according to the di- 
rections here given. 

Having mentioned these things, I now proceed 
to a description of the materials which compose 
this Emetic : the manner of compounding the 
different vegetables, and how it must be giv- 
en to the sick. — It consists of the following ; 

1. Penny Royal. 2. East India, or Ameri- 



102 

ean Pepper. 3. Emetic Herb, called Lobelia, the 
leaf made fine. 4. Nerve Powder, called Valeri- 
an, fine. 5 Sugar. 6. Water, and in some ca- 
ses, Vegetable Elixir. 

These articles are compounded in the following 
manner. 

1. Make about one quart of Penny Royal Tea; 
fill a common tea cup about half, or two thirds full 
of the tea ; add one tea spoonful of sugar, from 
half to an heaping tea spoonful of East India Pep- 
per, or American Pepper; stir all this together 
while the tea is hot. When the tea is cool enough 
to drink, add an neaping tea spoonful of green 
emetic of the leaves made fine, and sifted ; half a 
tea spoonful of nerve powder, and one tea spoon- 
ful of elixir, if you have it. Stir all these together, 
and let the sick person drink it. Let him drink, 
and wash his mouth with penny royal tea, if he 
desires it. 2. From fifteen to eighteen minutes af- 
ter giving the first dose, fix another in the same 
manner as the first, with the addition of a tea 
spoonful of liquid emetic, in common cases. 

[See Emetic No. 2, which is the liquid emetic] 

3. In from fifteen to twenty minutes after the 
second dose, give a third dose fixed the same as 
the second. This is Emetic enough for one day. 

4. In about half an hour from the time of giv- 
ing the third dose ef Emetic ; fill a tea cup about 
half full of hot pennyroyal tea, sweeten it, and add 
an heaping tea spoonful of American Cayenne ; 
half a tea spoonful of Nerve Powder ; one or two 
tea spoonsful of Elixir; stir these together, and let 
the patient drink it. 

Half an hour after giving this, prepare another 
dose, in the same manner ; and after another half 
hour, prepare and give a third one ; the same as 
the second. This is generally enough for one 



103 

day. If the patient does not vomit freely with all 
this, give him a tea spoonful of Nerve powder, and 
as much Elixir, in a tea cup of warm pennyroyal 
tea. After the operation of the Emetic is done, 
give the patient milk porridge, as soon as he has 
an appetite for it. He may also drink cider, cold 
water, ginger tea, or pennyroyal, if he craves either 
of them, or all. 

It is necessary for the patient to remain in bed 
several hours after the operation of the emetic has 
ceased. He must never leave the bed until the 
perspiration has ceased. In short days and cold 
weather, it is often best to lie in bed till the next 
morning. In general it is best not to change the 
clothes until the next day. It must not be done 
when in a perspiration ; it exposes the patient to 
take cold. It is never good to wash after, either 
with warm or cold water. 

The day after taking the emetic, they may gener- 
ally eat what their appetite craves ; but be careful 
not to eat food hard to digest, and be sure never 
to drink spirituous liquors ; they create disease. 

If the disease is not removed wholly by one 
course of emetic, it must be given again in bed, in 
three or four days, as the case nray require, until 
the person is well. Between the times of taking 
the emetics, the patient must take powders, pills, 
and bitters, as directed in other parts of this work. 
[See bitters, powders, &c] This emetic is sure 
in all cases of obstructions in the liver, stomach, 
bowels ; in fevers, rheumatism, &,c. 

[A word to those who give the emetic describ- 
ed here. A general rule is here given ; but there 
are certain variations, which ought to be observed. 
It is said, give American Cayenne with the eme- 
tic. This generally is best, but there are cases^ 

12 



104 

when it is necessary to add a small quantity of 
'* West India Cayenne/' with the American, — 
that is, when the American does not raise the heat 
high enough to make the emetic operate. Some- 
times the green emetic without the liquid is 
enough. That is in people of slender constitu- 
tions, or who have been long sick, and reduced to 
a state of great weakness. In such cases, judg- 
ment must he used. In some cases it is best al- 
ways to give an injection first ; but this is not 
generally needful. Where the stomach is very 
foul, and the bowels are free, and in cases, where 
the head is obstructed ; where they are troubled 
with dizziness, and swimming, as it is called, or 
they talk of being deranged. In such cases, it is 
best to give the emetic without an injection. 



EMETIC NO. 2, OR LIQUID EMETIC. 

There are several ways by which this Emetic 
may be prepared. 

1. Take one quart of elixir, [see elixir,] add 
four ounces of seed emetic, pounded fine, and 
shake it together several times in a day, for four 
or five days, let it settle, and it is fit for use, by 
pouring off the liquor from the seed. This will do 
in common cases, where it is to be used. 

2. Another way to prepare it is. — Take one 
quart of alcohol, add four ounces emetic seed, 
pounded fine, half an ounce West India Cayenne, 
shake it several times in a day for one week, pour 
it off, and it is fit for use. 

3. The best liquid Emetic I have tried, is made 
and prepared in the following manner : Take one 
gallon (or a greater quantity in the same propor- 
tion) of the best Holland gin, add one pound seed 
emetic pounded fine, one ounce best 'West India 
Cayenne pounded fine. Shake them togethar 



105 

several times in a day. Let the liquid stand on 
these dregs, and pour off from the dregs, when it 
is needed for application, in such cases as are de- 
scribed here. 



Uses of the Liquid Emetic — No. 2. 

It is to be used in all. cases of fits, cramps, con- 
vulsions, spasms, lockjaw, poison, &,c. It must be 
given in the following manner — Take from half 
to an whole wine glass full, clear ; soon after give 
warm pennyroyal tea. If this does not operate in 
the course of about fifteen minutes, give as much 
more with pennyroyal tea after it. If it does not 
operate with all this, give a tea spoonful of vege- 
table powders, and pennyroyal tea — All this I nev- 
er knew to fail of giving certain relief. 

This is a preparation, and dose for grown peo- 
ple — ^from the age of six years to all over that age. 
With this preparation, I have relieved people in 
fits, cramps, spasms, lockjaw, &,c. and have never 
known it to fail in a single instance. 

emetic — no. 3. 

This is a preparation for young children, and 
may be safely used in all conditions which chil- 
dren may be in, from the day they are born. For 
very young children, make a tea of pennyroyal, 
and fill a teacup one third full, sweetened. Put 
one tea spoonful of the green emetic, (made fine 
and sifted) into a thin cloth ; dip it into the tea, 
and squeeze it to get the strength into the tea. — 
When cool, give one third of it : in about ten or 
fifteen minutes, give one third more ; and in ten or 
fifteen minutes, give the remainder. If this dose 
does not relieve, fix another dose, and give it as be- 
fore. This is enough for one time. 



106 

For children from five to six months old to two, 
three, five, or six years old, make pennyroyal tea, 
fill a teacup half full of the tea, sweeten it, and 
put an heaping tea spoonful of green emetic into 
it ; stir it well, and give the child one third of it ; 
in ten or fifteen minutes, give one third more ; 
and in as much more time give the remainder. — 
This is generally enough * for one day. If this 
does not operate enough to relieve, give half as 
much more ; and be particular to give drink as 
often as the child wants it^ either cider, tea or wa- 
ter. 



Another preparation of No. 3, Emetic, for 
Children. 

Take four ounces of green emetic, pounded 
line ; put it in a glass bottle, add one pint of alco- 
hol, and one quart of warm water, cork it close, 
and shake it several times in a day for one week, 
let it settle, and pour of! for use when it is need- 
ed. 

For young children, give from one to three tea 
spoonsful, in about as much warm pennyroyal tea, 
sweetened. If this quantity does not relieve, give 
as much more, in the course of half an hour. Give 
freely of pennyroyal tea, water, or such drink as 
the child craves. 

This may be given with safety, in all cases of 
cold, shortness of breath, coughs, quincy, croup, 
whooping cough, meazles, chickenpox, fevers, can- 
ker rash, scarlet fever, mumps, and in all obstruc- 
tions of the throat, neck, lungs, and stomach.— 
This preparation will make children vomit easy, 
and remove the complaint. 

If giving this number three, of either prepara- 
tion, does not cure in one, two or three days, give 



107 

another, as above, and so repeat it, until a cure is 
effected. 



VEGETABLE POWDERS. 

These powders are prepared , in the following 
manner :— 

1. Take one pound of bayberry bark, (and in 
the same proportion for more or less,) of the root 
dried, made fine, and sifted through a fine sieve. 

2. Add eight ounces of ginger, four ounces of 
East India Pepper, or American Cayenne, two 
ounces of golden seal, one ounce of valerian, 
called nerve powder. All made fine, and sifted 
through a fine sieve. 

Put all these together in a dry tub, or some oth- 
er vessel, and stir them with a stick till they are 
well mixed ; then sift the whole through a coarse 
sieve, that each part may be a like through the 
whole, and they are fit for use. 

This preparation is of great use for young and 
old, male and female. They are useful and safe 
for violent colds, fevers, foul stomach, head ache, 
juandice, pain in the stomach and bowels, dysenta- 
ry, cholic, loss of appetite, cold hands and feet, 
palpitation of the heart, rheumatism, female 
complaint caused by colds,and all kinds of humors. 

Directions for using these powders. 

For an adult, put an heaping tea spoonful into 
a teacup, and add as much sugar, then pour the 
cup half full of boiling water ; stir it together, and 
when cool enough, add one tea spoonful of vege- 
table elixir, if you have it, if not, take it without. 
For children, half, or two thirds of the above 
quantity. Take it in bed at night, and also in 
the morning, in violent cases. If taken in the 
13* 



108 

day time, sit by the fire with a coat or blanket 
over you, until the warmth caused by the medi- 
cine is abated. Sometimes when the stomach is 
very foul, it will cause some vomiting, it is then 
more beneficial. If given in the first stages of a 
disease a few doses night and morning will often 
effect a cure. 



VEGETABLE BITTERS. 

These bitters are prepared in the following 
manner. 

1. To make one junk bottle, take of poplar bark 
and the leaves and flowers of thoroughwort, equal 
parts, enough for about one quart of strong tea ; 
add about one fourth as much wormwood. Put 
them into an earthen vessel ; and pour boiling 
water on them. Boil them a while to get out the 
strength. Put this in a bowl, and add one tea 
spoonful of American cayenne. Pour the tea into 
the bowl and stir the whole together, and when 
cool, add from one gill of brandy or gin, to half a 
pint ; put all into a junk bottle. Shake it a few 
times, and the bitters are fit for use. 

These bitters are good for jaundice, loss of ap- 
petite, indigestion, pain in the stomach and bow- 
els, costiveness, and other obstructions peculiar to 
females, and for swellings in the bowels. Take 
a common wine glass full, before breakfast, at 
eleven o'clock, and towards night, when needed. 
They are a safe medicine in all conditions for male 
or female. 

N. B. — There are some cases, where an addi- 
tion to these bitters is needful. If designed to as- 
sist obstructed mences, two tea spoonful of nerve 
powder, and two of bitter root must be added to 
one junk bottle after they are made. -The bitters 



109 

must be shaken before they are taken. One wine 
glass at once, two or three times in a day is suf- 
ficient. 

In cases of an old relax, two tea spoonsful of 
pounded bayberry bark of the root, and one of 
nerve powder must be added, and taken as above. 
This will generally cure in a few days or weeks 
at most. 



. VEGETABLE ELIXIR. 

This elixir is prepared in the following man- 
ner. 

Take one gallon best fourth proof cogniac 
brandy, put it into a stone jug, or glass demijohn. 
Add one pound gum myrrh pounded fine and one 
ounce of W. I. Cayenne Pepper pounded fine. — 
Shake them well together, every day for six or 
seven days, and the elixir is fit for use. Let the 
myrrh remain until the liquor is all used. For 
a larger quantity, observe the same proportion of 
brandy, myrrh and Cayenne 

This elixir is useful in all cases of pain, taken 
inwardly, or applied upon the outside. In cases 
of common head ache, put some on the head, and 
snuflf it up the nose ; it will generally relieve in a 
few minutes. Hold some in the mouth for the 
tooth ache, then wet cotton wool, and put it on 
the tooth, it will generally relieve the pain in a 
short time. 

By taking from half to an whole table spoonful 
in cases of pain in the stomach, or bowels, the pain 
will soon be removed. Bathing the sides or bow- 
els, will remove the pain in a short time. 

When the joints are swelled or pained with 
rheumatism, rubbing them with this elixir, will 
relieve pain and bring down the swelling. 

When a joint is strained, by bathing, with this, 



110 

the pain will be removed, the swelling taken down, 
and the strength restored. 

In cases of cramp in the limbs, stomach or 
bowels, this elixir will remove it immediately. — - 
Applied to cuts, bruises, and slight burns, or other 
wounds, it effects a speedy and easy cure. 

When the hands are covered with warts, by ap- 
plying this often, it will take them away. Blood 
warts are cured by it. What is called " weeping 
sinews" are cured by bathing the part several 
times in a day, and wearing a flannel over the in- 
jured part. 

People troubled with weakness and pain in their 
backs, may be cured by bathing with this elixir, 
and Botanic ointment, two or three times in a day. 
A recent relax is generally cured by taking a ta- 
ble spoonful two or three times in a day for a few 
days. 

Swellings in any part are removed by taking it, 
and bathing where the part is affected. 



VEGETABLE OINTMENT. 

This ointment is prepared in the following 
manner. 

Take one gallon of neats-foot oil, add one pound 
of the bark of the root of bitter sweet, dried and 
pounded fine ; half a pound of chamomile pound- 
ed ; half a pound of wormwood pounded ; and one 
once of cayenne pepper pounded fine, with one 
quart of best cogniac brandy. Stir these together 
and simmer them over a slow fire one day. After 
this, strain off the oil, and add two ounces of 
spirits of turpentine to each pound of the oint- 
ment. 

This ointment is designed wholly for outward 
applications. Such as callouses, swellings, bruis- 



Ill 

es, sprains, tightness of the sinews, or stiffness in 
the joints, and to remove corns. Corns are cured 
by shaving them down to the quick, and then put 
a thin piece of bladder into the ointment, and 
wrap it round the toe, and wear it, adding more 
ointment when needed, until the corn is gone. 



EYE WATER. 

Many preparations have been presented to the 
public, under the name of Eye Water, having not 
much more then the name. Minerals have been 
used, but those cannot be good for the eyes. Ma- 
ny, without any doubt have been made wholly 
blind by the injudicious use of such things. There 
are many good things used, though very simple. 

Some use cold water , applying it every morn- 
ing ; I am now almost 68 years old, and have 
from 16 years old washed my eyes with cold wa- 
ter every morning, and my sight has never failed 
much ; I can now write without glasses, and read 
common sized print, without difficulty. A friend 
of mine, nearly seventy-two years of age, can read 
the finest print without glasses, he has made a 
practice of puting his face into cold water once or 
twice every morning, and opening his eyes, for 
over thirty years. In old age the eye shrinks, 
which makes glasses needful. 

The cold water prevents that flatting of the eyes. 
Some have used warm milk from the cow, as good 
for inflamation and useful. A poultice of fine 
elm wet with milk and laid on the eyes at night, 
is-very good in cases of inflamation. In cases of 
pain in the eye balls bathing the eye lids with 
liquid emetic, with the eyes shut, is very good to 
remove that pain, and to take out the redness. 



112 

The following is one of the best preparations I 
have ever found. 

No. 1. This is made in the following manner. 

1. Take one ounce of clover extract, (which 
see) dissolve it in about one pint of spring water, 
half a gill rose water, and one gill and a half of 
cogniac brandy. Shake them together every day 
for one week, and it is fit for use. If this is too 
strong for children, reduce it with soft spring wa- 
ter. Put this on the eyes and eye lids, with the 
end of the finger, several times in a day. This 
will generally cure. 

No. 2. The following is the way to prepare it. 

Take the bark of the root of white maple, — 
Shave off the ross, cut it fine, and boil it till the 
strength is out, then take out the bark, strain the 
liquor, and boil it down to the thickness of molass- 
es. Take about one ounce of this and dissolve it 
in one pint of soft water — add one gid and half of 
best cogniac brandy, one gill best rose water, 
shake it every day for ten days, and it is fit for use. 
Apply it with the finger to the edge of the eyelids, 
several times in a day. It is also good to apply to 
any canker sore on any part of the body. I have 
found it an excellent remedy, when all other pre- 
parations failed. 

The following is the way of discovering the use 
of this bark. In the year 1834, a man related to 
me the following circumstance. He stated that 
he had a sore on his lip, supposed to be the begin- 
ning of a cancer, it often pained him very much. 
One day as he was in the woods at work, his pain 
in the lip was very severe. In this state of an- 
guish, he pulled of a green leaf from a tree near, 
and laid it on his lip, and passed along. In a 
short time the pain abated. Finding this relief he 



113 

returned to see what tree he plucked the leaf frorri^ 
and found it to be the white maple. He continu- 
ed to apply the leaves till he was wholly cured. I 
saw the scar, but tho supposed cancer was gone. 
After he was gone, I reasoned thus — if the power 
of the maple leaf is so great, how much more pow- 
erful must the bark of the root be ! 

From that time till now I have continued to use 
this extract for the eyes, mouth, and other canker 
sores, and found it to exceed what I had at first 
contemplated ; and now publish it for the benefit 
of all who may use it on such occasions. 



SALVE. 



Salve, and such kinds of compounds for out- 
ward applications, have long been in use, and are 
likely long to be needed, the scriptures mention 
" Eye Salve , Ointments" of the apothecary, 
and other things of the same nature. We will 
give directions for a few preparations in num- 
bers. 

No. 1. is prepared in the following manner. 

Take one pound of Bees-wax, one pound of salt 
butter, twelve ounces balsam firr, twelve ounces 
turpentine, simmer them together, till the whole 
is melted into one mass ; then settle it, and strain 
off from the sedement, and it is fit for use. It is 
useful for any kind of sore, bruise, burn, cut or 
scald, after the sore is cleansed from blood, can- 
ker, &,c. 

No. 2. This is a compound of Botanic Oint- 
ment and Salve, No. 1, melted and mixed, equal 
parts of each. This is an excellent preparation 
to cause a sore to discharge, that it may be pre- 
pared to haal. In cases of scrofulous humors, 



114 

salt rheum, shingles, ringworms, and in any cases 
of eruption of the skin, it is very useful. 

It is used for the cure of old cankered sores ; it 
opens the pores, causes a discharge of dead mat- 
ter, and prepares the flesh to heal itself. It may 
be bathed on by the fire, or spread on a clean cot- 
ton or linen cloth, and used until the sore is heal- 
ed. 



CANCER PLASTER. 

This plaster is prepared in the following man- 
ner : — 

1. Take the heads of red clover, when full grown, 
put them in a brass or iron kettle. Fill up the 
kettle with w r ater sufficient for the quantity of clo- 
ver heads collected. Boil them till the strength is 
out ; then strain the water and press out all you 
can from the clover When this is done, boil 
down the tea by a slow fire, until it is about the 
thickness of tar when cool. This is very good 
for common sores, but not strong enough for can- 
cers. 

2. Take half a gill of this which is boiled down. 
Add to this quantity an heaped tea spoonful of the 
emetic seed pounded fine, and the same quantity 
of West India Cayenne made fine. Stir all these 
together, and it is fit for use. Take a piece of 
bladder split, and made soft by rubbing it, or a 
piece of soft glove leather. Spread the plaster, 
larger than the sore, and lay it on. When the 
cancer, or any other canker sore has taken off all 
the plaster, spread another and put on. Continue 
this till the sore is cured. For further particulars 
see cancer. 



VEGETABLE COUGH POWDER. 

This powder is prepared in the following manner. 



115 

Take of horehound, made fine and sifted, four 
ounces ; one ounce of lobelia emetic ; (emetic 
herb) one ounce of cayenne pepper ; elicampane 
root two ounces ; one ounce of skunk cabbage ; 
one ounce of valerian, and one ounce of thorough- 
wort, all pounded fine, and sifted through a fine 
sieve, and well mixed together, whenit is fit for use 

This powder is designed for the cure of any 
kind of cough, caused by cold, directly or indi- 
rectly. If the throat is sore, if there is a difficulty 
in swallowing food or drink ; or if there is hoarse- 
ness, or if the person is troubled with the croup, 
whooping cough, asthma, or a dry hard cough, 
this will generally give relief in a few days. 

Directions— Take an heaping tea spoonful of 
the powder in a tea cup, add one table spoonful of 
molasses to it. Stir it together, as you would sul- 
pher and molasses. For a grown person, take 
from two to four tea spoonsful at one time ; parti- 
cularly when in bed at night. It is best to take 
it whenever a person has an hard time of cough- 
ing. Mix the same quantity for children, as for 
adults, give them only half as much at once. — 
Should this powder cause vomiting, it will give the 
more relief, or do more good. This powder as 
given above directed, has saved many sick children 
from death. 



COUGH DROPS. 

The cough drops are prepared as follows : — 
Take one quart liquid emetic ; one quart water ; 
add four ounces elicampane made fine ; two oun- 
ces skunk cabbage made fine ; one pound honey ; 
two ounces nerve powder. Shake them every day 
for ten days, then settle and pour off, 

13 



116 

Take from one to two tea spoonsful at night, 
and at any other time when the cough is trouble- 
some, or the most violent. 

For children it may be reduced by adding pen- 
nyroyal or mayweed tea. 



. ACID COUGH SYRUP* 

Take of Sumac Berries one pound, elicampane 
root, four ounces ; skunk cabbage root, one ounce ; 
West India Cayenne, one ounce ; vinegar one 
gallon. Boil these together until the strength is 
out of the berries and roots. Then pour off the 
liquor from the sediments, and add about three 
pounds of honey, and it is fit for use. 

Use of this cough syrup. It is to be taken in 
cases of asthma, quincy, whooping cough, com- 
mon colds, sore throat, scrofula, swelling of the 
glands of the throat, canker in the throat, dryness 
of the mouth and throat, canker in the throat and 
stomach, catarrh, and any other difficulty in the 
head or throat, caused by cold. 

Directions — To be taken from one tea spoonful, 
to a table spoonful, several times in a day. Child- 
ren or grown people,troubledwith any kind of cough 
should take it whenever the cough is severe, by day 
or night. Children should take about half the 
quantity given to an adult. 

This preparation was first made for a man who 
was supposed to be in the last stages of consump- 
tion. By his request, I visited him, his cough 
was distressing, his breathing was difficult. I 
asked him if he thought he could take an emetic ? 
He answered, do you think I can ? No. We all 
concluded he must die. While setting in the 
chamber with him, the question arose in my mind, 
is there no relief for him ? I fixed upon part of 
this preparation, and made a quart of k, and di- 



117 

rected him to take it several times in a day until 
Saturday, when I would visit him again, and soon- 
er if he needed me. On Saturday, being the fifth 
day, I visited him again, and found him greatly 
relieved. I then gave him an emetic, and in two 
weeks gave him three or four more. He reeovered,, 
and is now alive and enjoys as good health as 
men in general who are nearly seventy years old. 
His name is Phileman Russel, of Charlestown y 
near Boston. 

Since that first preparation, it has been much 
improved, and large quantities of it are continual- 
ly called for by such as are troubled with coughs 
and other difficulties in the throat and neighbor- 
ing parts. Try it* 



VEGETABLE SYRUP FOR DYSENTERY. 

To prepare this, take one pound poplar bark, 
pounded fine ; one pound of bayberry bark, made 
fine : one pound gum myrrh pounded fine ; seven 
pounds loaf sugar ; three gallons of spring water ; 
one gallon best fourth proof cogniac brandy. Put 
all these into a brass kettle, and let them boil a- 
bout half an hour, strain off the liquor when cool, 
and put it in bottles corked tight, and it is fit 
for use. Take about one wine glass full at a 
time, two, three or four times in a day, as the dis- 
order may require. For children about half as 
much as for a grown person. 



VOLATILE SALTS. 

Take of sal amoniac crude, one ounce ; two 
ounces of pearlash ; pound them separately, then 
mix them well together, and add two or three drops 
of vegetable elixir, shake it all together in a bottle* 
and it is fit for use. To be used for the head ache, 
fainting, &/C. 



113 



INJECTION OR CLYSTERS 

This means medicines thrown into the body by 
syringe. Hooper gives the following description 
of them. " injection, (from injicio, to cast in. 
A medicated liquor, to throw into a natural or pre- 
ternatural cavity of the body by means of a sy- 
ringe/') Buchan says, " This class of medicines 
is of more importance than is generally imagined. 
Clysters Serve, not only to evacuate the contents 
of the bowels, but also to convey very active me- 
dicines into the system. A simple clyster can sel- 
dom do hurt, and there are many cases where it 
may do much good." 

All physicians who have any proper knowledge 
of the human body, have acknowledged the pro- 
priety of injections in a great variety of cases. — 
Many have been kept alive for some time, only 
with nourishment thrown up this way. Many 
times people have been relieved by an injection of 
warm water, gruel, broth, &c. 

In my method of attending the sick, many dis- 
eases could not be cured without the use of them. 
Such as cholic, dysentery, piles, cholera morbus, 
general coldness in the bowels, stranguary, gravel, 
diabetes, falling of the rectum, flour albus, Sow- 
ings, stoppage of the Courses, pain in the back, 
and all hysteric complaints. 

There are not many diseases where an emetic 
is needed, that an injection should be given first, 
and generally it is not necessary at all, when the 
pills mentioned in this book, are used according to 
directions. 

The following is my manner of preparing an in- 
jection. 

1. Make a tea of Pennyroyal, and strain half a 
pint into a small bowl. 2. Add a rising tea spoon- 
ful of warming powder* or American cayenne, or 



119 

common red pepper, while the tea is hot. 3. 
When the tea is about blood warm, add a rising 
tea spoonful of green emetic, as much nerve pow- 
der, and one or two tea spoonsful of elixir. Stir 
all these together, fill a syringe, and give it in bed. 

In case of piles, cholera morbus, disentery, pain 
in the bowels, &.c. Injections should be given 
whenever relief from pain and distress is needed. 
In case of costiveness, they should be given two 
or three times a week, as the difficulty demand. 

For an injection when the emetic is not to be 
given, prepare it in the same manner, only add 
half a tea spoonful of the green emetic. This 
will relieve in cases of cholic, relax, stranguary, 
pain of any kind in the bowels, or piles. Should 
the person feel much pain in taking either of 
these kinds of injections, give a table spoonful of 
elixir, which will soon remove pain after it is swal- 
lowed. 

If an injection is given without the emetic, it 
should be given at night, in bed, and at any time 
when given, the person should be in bed. 

Q^Notice. — Judgement must be used in giv- 
ing injections. In common cases, they may be giv- 
en according to the above directions; but this will 
not do in all kind of diseases. There are diseas- 
es, in which if a strong injection was given, it 
would cause a delirium, by raising the heat too 
high in the bowels. 

In cases of female obstruction, emetics ought not 
first to be given. Sometimes in such cases, they 
ought to take one or two emetics before any in- 
jection is given. In some such cases, where there 
are any appearances of insanity caused by the dis«- 
ease, the injection should be given in the even- 
ing, after the operation of the emetic is over, 

13* 



1:20 

When there are obstructions in the womb, of a 
long Standing, a tea should be made of valerian, 
and the Other parts added, which will have a ten- 
dency to calm the whole By stem, instead of irritat- 
ing it. In all these cases li Wisdom is profita- 
ble to direct." 



ITOT OINTMENT. 

Itch ointment is prepared in the following man- 
ner : 

'Take one gallon of high wines, or alcohol ; one 
pound of gum myrrh, pounded line; oik; ounce of 
West India Cayenne. Put the alcohol into a jug 
that will hold about two gallons ; add the pound 
of myrrh and cayenne to it in the jug. Shake or 
stir it well together,; Put the jug in a kettle which 
will hold one <>r two pails full of water. Pour wa- 
ter into the kettle until the kettle is nearly full. — 
Jiang it. over the lire. Let the cork be out of the 
jug. In this situation let the water boil and the 
alcohol, about half an hour. After it is cool, and 
settled, strain it off from the myrrh and cayenne ; 
and add one fourth as much spirits of turpentine 
as there is of the alcohol after it is boiled. Shake 
it for some time, and it. is fit for use. Tt must be 
put, on night and morning until a cure is perform- 
ed, which is commonly within One week. This I 
have newer known to fail of curing the most obsti- 
nate kind I have met with. [Sec itch.] 

N. B. — This ointment must, always be shaken 
up in the phial before it is put on. There is no 
need of changing the clothes when this is used, 
and there is no danger by taking or using it at any 
season of the year. 



POULTICES. 

The poultice or outward applications to sores. 



18 1 

boils, swellings, &,c. is very ancient, and it lias 
come down to our time, and proved useful. — 
When king Hezekiah was sick, Isaiah, who was 
a Botanic Physician, made a plaistet or poultice 
of figs, and laid it on the sore, by which it was 
healed. No doubt such a poultice would be use- 
ful now, if applied. 

There are several things used lor poultices, 

which do not to me appear of much value — lu~ 

diau Meal is one. This is a cold application, in 

itself, 1 have never seen much, if any benefit 

from it. Wheat Bread is another thing used. — 
I do not see how the power of food can ho con- 
verted into powerful medicine. It may serve to 
keep off the cold. It will remove hunger, but is 

not designed, as J see, to remove disease. Medi- 
cine cannot be made into food, nor can food be 
made into medicine. 

.Flaxseed is another article for -<\ poultice, though 
I have never seen much advantage derived from 
it. 

Catnip, Wormwood, and many other things of 
this kind have done good, when used as a Poul- 
tice. 

We will notice a few which have been proved 

very useful, and may be depended on when a 
poultice is needed, in cases of swelling caused by 
colds, bruises, canker sores, and humors of vari- 
ous kinds. 

No. 1. This is a simple Elm .Poultice. Made 
in the following way — Take any quantity of 
ground Elm, wet it with hot water, or raspberry 
tea, till it is thick enoughfo spread, then put it on 

a cloth about blood warm, and apply it whore it is 
needed. To be used on places that are very sore, 
where much cannot be borne. When the eyes or 



122 

cye-lds are much inflamed, a poultice of this kind 
should be made thin, a linen cloth put round it, 
and laid on the eyes at night, and repeated, until 
the inflamation is out. All poultices should be 
changed once in twelve hours, as they do much 
more good. This is an excellent preparation for 
eyes that are cankered, or any part where there is 
much canker. 

No. 2. This number is to be used on old cank- 
ered sores of long standing, for burns when much 
cankered, for swelled joints caused by cold, 
Gout or Rheumatism, and where the flesh has be- 
come dry and hard, and which does not discharge. 

To make this — Take four ounces of Elm made 
fine, two tea spoonsfull of sweating powder, 
American cayenne, two tea spoonsfull of Green 
Emetic made fine, and sifted, stir these together, 
and mix it with hot water till it is thin enough to 
spread on a cloth. 

To make this poultice the most useful, the part 
where it is applied, should first be bathed with 
"Botanic Ointment" before the poultice is put on. 
This should be put on twice in twenty-four hours. 
When a sore is much cankered, it should be wash- 
ed with warm soap suds, before it is bathed with 
ointment, and another poultice applied. 

This kind of poultice is useful for swelled joints, 
and any other swelling caused by cold, strains, 
bruises, mumps, scrofula, quinsey, croup and any 
thing of that nature. When this poultice causes 
too great heat in the sore, &c. pour on co!d wa- 
ter, which will serve to remove the cold and in- 
flamation, and give immediate relief. To make a 
sore, or bile break the sooner, add to the above, 
about one quarter as much pond lilly root pound- 
ed fine, and sifted, as there is of the other arti- 
lees which compose the No. 2, Poultice. 



123 

No. 3. To make this number — Take of West 
India Cayenne, and Emetic Seed Powder equal 
parts, add the amount of flour. Wet it with hot 
water till it is soft enough to lay on, and apply it 
till the cause is removed. This is to be used for 
what is called breeding sores, runround, or sores 
round the roots of the finger nails, this will re- 
move the pain and difficulty in a few days. It is 
also good to apply to felons, and all sores of that 
nature. 

Some one of these numbers, is good in cases of 
sprains, swellings caused by rheumatism, ague 
sores, salt rheum, St. Anthony's fire, gout, old can- 
kered sores, burns, &c. 



PILLS. 



To show the propriety of pills, or of taking 
medicine in this form, in certain states of the hu- 
man body, we will first give a few extracts from 
ancient authors. 

1. "They are called pillala, because they re- 
semble little balls. The Greeks call them cata- 
potia. 

2. It is the opinion of modern physicians, that 
this way of making medicine was invented to de- 
ceive the palate, that so by swallowing them down 
whole, the bitterness of the medicine might not 
be perceived. 

3. I am of a contrary opinion to this. I rather 
think they were done up in this hard form, so that 
they might be the longer in digesting ; and my 
opinion is grounded on reason. The first inven- 
tion of pills was to purge the head. — Such infirm- 
ities as lie near the passages were best removed 
by decoction, because they pass the grieved parts 



124 

the soonest. Tf the infirmity lies in the head, or 
any remote part, the best way is to use pills, be- 
cause they are longer in digestion, and therefore 
the better able to call the offend ing humor to 
them." 

This account of pills, is to me rational, and for 
the above reason, I have of late prepared and used 
with success such as are here described. There 
was no one preparation which operated as these 
pills do, and they answer generally, all the purpos- 
es which were contemplated before they were pre- 
pared and used. 

Take of Poplar Bark, made fine, one pound ; 
pound, Bugle, one pound, Thoroughwort^ one 
eight ounces of Wormwood. 

Put these in a brass kettle, and boil them till 
the strength is out ; then strain off the tea from 
the herbs, and boil it down to nearly the thick- 
ness of molasses. 

To this add one ounce West India Cayenne, 
made fine, two ounces of Golden Seal r two ounc- 
es Bitter Root, and two ounces Extract of But- 
ternuts dissolved, one ounce Green Emetic, two 
ounces Alloes, made fine. If all do not make it 
"hard enough to make into pills, stir in fine elm or 
poplar bark, until it is thick enough to work into 
pills. 

They are good to remove head ache, costiveness, 
pain in the stomach and bowels, to help the diges- 
tion, and to remove the wind in the stomach and 
bowels. — They are safe and useful to take in all 
conditions where pills are needed. 

Directions. Take from three to seven every 
other night. For children, half the quantity. — 
When children cannot take them whole, they 
may be grated fine, and mixed with molasses. 



125 

They are remarkably good in cases of costivenes^ 
indigestion, cold stomach, head ache, and dizzi- 
ness. They are good in various kinds of female 
complaints, and may be taken with safety in all 
situations in which men or women may be in. — ■ 
A few cases are here stated among many others. 

1. A gentleman in Boston was troubled with a 
Severe head ache four or five days. By taking 
only seven of these pills at night, the pain was 
wholly removed in about twelve hours. 

2. A lady was troubled with a constant pain in 
her head for about seven months. By the request 
of her husband, I visited her, gave her 40 pills to 
take, five or six every other morning ; a few bit- 
ters and powders. Before she had used all the 
pills, the pain was removed, and it has not re- 
turned. 

3. Another was troubled with costiveness ; 
which was removed by taking these pills a few 
times. 

4. A young man, who had been sick with a fe- 
ver after recovering so as to have a good appetite, 
ate some food which hurt him. The family was 
alarmed, fearing the fever would return. His 
nurse gave him in the morning nine pills, which 
removed the obstruction, and at night he was en- 
tirely well, and felt no more of the difficulty after- 
wards. 



CORDIALS. 

There are various kinds of Cordial suitable for 
people who are unwell. 

1. If a person in troubled with a relax in the 
bowels, make a strong tea of red raspberry leaves. 
Add to one quart of this tea, two ounces of peach- 



126 

meats made fine. Half an ounce of myrrh 
pounded fine ; four ounces of loaf sugar ; and one 
gill of Cogniac brandy. Bottle it, and it is fit for 
use. When you drink them, shake the bottle first. 
Take about one wine glass full, two or three times 
in a day. 

2. If a cordial is needed to relieve costiveness, 
make a strong tea of poplar bark made fine, and 
thoroughwort, equal parts. Add five ounces loaf 
sugar, and one gill of gin. When the stomach is 
cold, add to each junk bottle one or two tea spoons- 
ful of American Cayenne. 

3. In cases where the appetite is small, the di- 
gestion poor, make a strong tea of black birch bark. 
To one quart, add two ounces of peachmeats made 
fine ; half an ounce of myrrh, made fine ; one 
tea spoonful of American Cayenne ; four ounces 
of loaf sugar, one gill of Cogniac brandy, and drink 
two or three wine glasses full in a day. Shake 
them in a bottle before you drink them. 

4. To relieve the bowels of cold, &c. take of 
yellow dock root, dandalion roots, and the leaves 
of lovage, equalparts, half as much saffron. Boil 
them together, and strain off the tea. To one junk 
bottle, add five ounces loaf sugar, one gill of gin, 
drink it in the same quantity, and as often as the 
direction for using the other cordials 

There are scarcely any complaints where some 
one of these cordials will not relieve. All these 
have been frequently tried, and proved useful for 
the sick. 

N. B. — When peach-meats cannot be obtained, 
cherry-stones pounded, or bitter almonds may be 
used as a substitute, by adding to each junk bot- 
tle, the amount of two ounces of peachmeats. 



127 



SWEATING POWDERS. 



Take one pound of golden seal, (or any other 
quantity in the same proportion) one pound East 
India, or American pepper, one pound bayberry 
bark, fine, eight ounces West India Cayenne, four 
ounces nerve powder. Mix these together, and 
they are fit for use. 

These powders are designed to give quick relief 
in cases of violent cold, oppression on the stomach, 
accompanied with a general langor, a sense of 
weariness, and symptoms of a fever. Taken ac- 
cording to the directions, they frequently give re- 
lief in one or two days. " These produce an ap- 
petite for food, because they promote digestion, 
- — they promote digestion by exciting an healthy 
action of the stomach ; they remove morbid ob- 
structions and give tone and vigor to the whole 
system. Every Botanic Physician, should know 
how, and when to use them. ,, 

Dhextions — Take, in common cases, an heap- 
ing tea spoonful, add a tea cup half full of hot wa- 
ter, and one tea spoonful of sugar. Take it two 
or three times in a day ; morning, noon and night. 
In cases, when there are symptoms of a fever, 
take the above quantity, once in three or four 
hours, for twenty-four hours. This course will 
generally restore the tone of the system, give ease 
and comfort in a short time, if applied in season. 



EMETIC POWDERS. 

The emetic powder is prepared in the follow- 
ing manner. 

Take one pound of Green Emetic, pounded 
and sifted fine, eight ounces warming powders, or 
American Cayenne, four ounces of nerve powder, 
two ounces of golden seal, two ounces of bitter root, 



128 

four ounces of thorough wort, four ounces bay berry 
bark all made fine, and mixed, then sifted through 
a sieve, to have them exactly mixed, and they are 
suitable for old or young, if given according to the 
directions. 

A preparation of this kind has been needed for 
years, and is frequently called for. It is given to 
the public for general use. 

There are many cases where a gentle emetic 
taken in season, would save much sickness, trou- 
ble and expense. In cases of violent cold, symp- 
toms of fever ; in distressing head ache ; pain in 
the stomach, caused by unwholesome food, or by 
food not well digested ; cholic, wind, or pain in 
the bowels; a small emetic would relieve immedi- 
ately, so that the person might soon be able to at- 
tend business as usual. 

In such cases, this emetic powder may be used 
with safety and success, by attending to the fol- 
lowing 

Directions — l. It must always be taken in bed. 
2. Put an heaping tea spoonful of this powder in 
half a tea cup of warm pennyroyal tea and drink 
it sweetened. 3. In, from fifteen to twenty min- 
utes, give as much more, (the same as the first) if 
the first or second dose causes vomiting, stop at 
the second, and afterwards give pennyroyal tea 
freely. If neither operate to vomit, give a third 
dose, in twenty minutes, and no more at that 
time. Give pennyroyal tea freely, after the third 
dose. 

If all this does not relieve, give one or two dos- 
es of vegetable powders, or sweating powders, ac- 
cording to the directions on the paper which con- 
tain them. 

In one or two days after taking this powder, 
according to the directions, another may be giv- 



129 

en, and so continue, till relief is obtained. In 
common cases one course will be sufficient to re- 
lieve. 



CATHARTIC COMPOUND. 

This compound is prepared by mixing equal 
parts of cathartic and nerve drops, and shaking 
them together. When this is done it is ready for 
use. This is an excellent preparation for almost 
any internal complaint of children — whether from 
cold, cough, foul stomach, costiveness, slow fever 
or general langor. 

A child about six years old, near me a few 
weeks ago, had taken cold, which caused so much 
fever, that when I visited her she could not set up, 
I directed a table spoonful to be given her, three 
or four times in a day in pennyroyal tea. She took 
it according to direction, and the third or fourth 
day, she was well, and able to eat and be about 
the house as usual. 

Another in the north part of the city, was tak- 
en with what is called the scarlet fever. I direct- 
ed the same for her, and in less than a week her 
health was entirely restored. 

One table spoonful for children, from five to eight 
years old, in pennyroyal tea, from two to five times 
in a day, is sufficient for children, and for adults 
from half, to a wine glass full, from two to four 
times a day, is enough. It may always be ad- 
ministered with safety. It has been tried and 
proved. 

CATHARTIC DROPS. 

To make cathartic drops — for one quart, take 
one pint and a half of best Holland gin, add half 



130 

a pint of water, add two ounces of bitter root, and 
one ounce of mandrake. Shake it once or twice 
a day for ten or twelve days, and it is fit for use. 

This liquid is designed to regulate the stomach 
and bowels, particularly the bowels. In general 
where people are very costive, the stomach needs 
regulating as well as the bowels. This prepara- 
tion will relieve both, by using it according to the 
direction. 

Directions — For young children, give one or 
two tea spoonsful of it, night and morning in one 
table spoonful of thoroughwort or pennyroyal tea. 
If two tea spoonsful does not remove the difficulty, 
take one or two more until the costiveness is re- 
moved. 

For a grown person, take at night from one ta- 
ble spoonful to two thirds of a wine glass full, in 
thoroughwort, or pennyroyal tea. This seldom 
fails to remove costiveness, and to prevent a re- 
turn of the difficulty. 



NERVE DROPS. 

To make these drops— Take one pint and a 
half of best Holland gin, half a pint of water — add 
to this two ounces of nerve powder, or valerian, 
made fine, one ounce of hops, pounded fine. Put 
these into the gin and water, shake it twice a day 
for ten or twelve days, and it is fit for use. 

This is a preparation designed to calm the 
whole, or any part of the system, and to restore 
the natural tone of the body. Multitudes com- 
plain of being nervous ; they mean easily agitat- 
ed. They are either troubled with trembling, 
starting, dreaming of frightful objects, or imagin- 
ing they see them when their eyes are closed, or 



131 

something of the kind. Some lie awake many 
hours before they can sleep at all. Others sleep 
well a few hours and remain a wake till morning. 
Some to produce sleep, take opium, laudinum^pa- 
ragoric, fyc. They sleep by taking these things, 
but such sleep is not natural nor refreshing ; it 
only stupifies, and leaves the person worse in the 
end. These drops cause no such effects. They 
calm in reality, causing a rest which is natural. 

Directions — For young children, give one or 
two tea spoonsful, in a table spoonful of pennyroy- 
al tea, several times in a day, as their situation 
may require. Grown people should take one ta- 
ble spoonful with the vegetable powders, or hy- 
geian compound every night in bed, or as much 
in warm pennyroyal or motherwort tea, until they 
are relieved of what is called nervious complaints. 
It is always a safe and excellent remedy ; and 
wholly supercedes the use of opium or any other 
poisonous preparation. 

CEPHALIC SNUFF. 

Take four ounces of the bark of bayberry root 
made fine, and sifted through a very fine sieve. — 
Add half an ounce of bitter root, made fine and 
sifted — half an ounce of nerve powder. Mix these 
together, and add a few drops of the oil of golden 
rod. Stir all together,^md it is fit for use. To 
be used for headach, cold, or stoppage in nose 
and head. 



WORM POWDERS. 



To make these powders, take one pound worm- 
wood, made fine, one pound thoroughwort, fine, 
four ounces bitter root, four ounces nerve pow> 
14* 



132 

der, two ounces golden seal, all made fine, and 
sifted. Mix them together. 

Directions. — Put two tea spoonsful in a tea 
cup, and add one table spoonful of molasses, stir 
it all together as you would sulpher and molasses, 
take from one to three tea spoonsful, two, three or 
four times a day, according to the age of the child. 
For a grown person, take twice the quantity, as 
for a child. 



WINE BITTERS. 

To make ten gallons, Take seven gallons best 
sweet wine, mix it with three gallons pure water, 
add four ounces golden seal, four ounces nerve 
powder, four ounces prickly ash bark, four ounces 
cloves. After all these are put together, add five 
ounces American cayenne or East India pepper, 
two ounces mandrake root fine, two ounces saf- 
fron, and two ounces sage, one pound mountain 
ash bark. Those must all be pounded fine, and 
shaken every day for one week, and it is fit for 
use. 

Take from two thirds, to an whole wine l^I ass 
full, before breakfast, and dinner, and at any oth- 
er time when troubled with pain in the stomach 
or bowels. 

This preparation is excellent for removing Dis- 
peptic difficulties, restoring digestion, correcting 
the appetite, and for removing wind and pain 
from the stomach and bowels. People troubled 
with faintness in the stomach, and general langor, 
will find great relief by taking it several times in 
a day, according to the directions. 



PULMONARY DROPS. 

Take four gallons of rye gin, eight ounces 
rayrrh, fine, one pound East India Pepper, four 



133 

pounds loaf sugar, one gallon pure water, eight 
ounces golden seal, four ounces nerve powder, 
all pounded fine. Put all these into the gin and 
water, stir them together every day for one week, 
and it is made and fit to be taken. 

Take from half to an whole wine glass full, 
two or three times in a day. 

These drops are designed for consumptive com- 
plaints, horseness, coughs^cold, or any difficulty 
in the chest, or what is generally called difficulty 
in the lungs. Where there is a tightness and dry- 
ness in the throat, and bleeding in the throat or 
chest, this is very useful. Half a dose for an 
adult, is sufficient for children. It is very useful 
for children who have the croup, or any obstruc- 
tion in the throat. 



CANKER CORDIAL. 

Take one pound Sumac Berries, eight ounces 
white pine bark, eight ounces bugle, four ounces 
wintergreen, four ounces yarrow, four ounces hem- 
lock bark. Boil all these together in water, until 
the strength is out, then strain off the liquor, and 
add one quart best Holland gin to each gallon, and 
it is ready for use. 

Directions — When any one is troubled with 
canker in the mouth, hold this cordial in the 
mouth several times in a day. If the canker is in 
the throat, gargle it with this cordial two or three 
times a day until relief is gained. If the canker 
is in the stomach and bowels, drink part of a wine 
glass, two, three or four times in the day, and eve- 
ning, it will generally cure by taking it a few 
days, as above directed. 



WINE CORDIAL. 

Take four gallons Muscat wine, one pound 



134 

mountain ash bark, eight ounces white pine bark, 
four ounces prickly ash bark, one ounce of East 
India pepper, or American pepper. Pound all 
these fine, and put them into the wine ; and 
shake it every day for two weeks, and it is good 
for consumptive complaints, loss of appetite, faint- 
ness, and weakness of the stomach, and for general 
debility, caused by long sickness, or whatever has 
reduced the person to a state of great weakness. 
This cordial was made in consequence of a young 
female who was supposed to be in the last stage of 
consumption. After giving her several courses of 
emetics ; by which she was greatly relieved, she 
observed one day that she was better, but there 
was a place in her stomach that no cordials or bit- 
ters would touch. In consequence of this, I pre- 
pared this cordial. After she had taken it a few 
days, she said it gave her the relief she wanted. 
By taking it a few weeks, she recovered, and en- 
joyed as good health as usual. 

Take one, two or three wine glasses in a day, 
as the state of the general system may require. 



BILIOUS CORDIAL. 

Take five pounds of sarsaparilla root, two 
pounds poplar bark, one pound thorough wort, one 
pound mountain ash bark, one pound wormwood, 
eight ounces hoar hound, eight ounces liverwort, 
one pound bugle, two pounds wild cherry bark ; 
pound all these fine and boil them in water until 
the strength is out ; then strain off the liquor, and 
boil it down until the liquor is suitably strong, 
then add one pound nerve powder, one pound 
golden seal, eight ounces sasafras bark of the root, 
two ounces bitter root, and one quart best Holland 
gin to each gallon, stir it together every day, for 



135 

one week, and it may be used with comfort. This 
is designed to remove difficulties in the liver ; in 
the stomach, and bowels, and for jaundice, and 
k> remove obstructions from the brain and all parts 
of the chest, stomach and bowels. 

Take about one wine glass full several times in 
a day. 



STEAMING. 

This course of operation on a sick man, has 
many advocates, and opposers. I once consider- 
ed it needful for the sick, being told that it was 
useful, though the propriety of it was not always 
manifest. 

About fourteen years ago, I gave it up as either 
hurtful or needless. My reasons for giving up the 
practice, are the following. 

1st. Those who were steamed often lost more 
heat than they gained. The patient, is steamed 
after taking the emetic ; and is often in a state of 
free perspiration. Taking him out of bed in this 
state, and placing him over a steam, or in a steam 
box, he must loose some heat, and some in get- 
ting him back to the bed again j after washing 
him with cold water, or pouring a pailful on his 
head. 

2d. To raise the heat so high upon the surface 
must drive the cold into the man, instead of driv- 
ing it out as the emetic is calculated to do. Ma- 
ny under the operation of steaming have fainted, 
because the cold was driven back into the stomach 
and bowels. Some have died in the operation of 
the steam. The argument is, that a perspiration 
must be produced. This is not always needful* 
no more than it is needful for a man always to 
perspire, because he is at work. 



136 

3d. People have applied to me for help, after 
taking Thomsonian emetics, and steaming ; be- 
cause all this had not removed the disease. One 
man told me he had taken ten emetics, with steam- 
ing, and was not cured of his difficulty. Three 
of my emetics, without steaming, or washing with 
cold water, entirely relieved him. 

4th. Another reason against steaming is, that it 
is sometimes dangerous. We know there have 
been instances, where people have died in the 
steam box. The heat was doubtless raised too 
high. I have seen people steamed so high, that 
it was difficult to revive them again. 

5th. My last reason against steaming is, that it 
is unnecessary. In attending people about twen- 
ty years, I have cured them sooner, and with 
more ease to them and myself, than by steaming. 
One Thomsonian at the west, thinks he has found 
an ointment, which is superior to steaming. 

By raising the heat inside gradually, electrify- 
ing, and applying botanic ointment, the sick are 
cured with less trouble and expense, than by the 
old way of steaming and pouring cold water. 

These remarks are not made from any unfriend- 
ly feelings towards the Thomsonians ; but to shew 
why my practice excludes steaming ; as many now 
think steaming is in my system of medicine ; tho' 
it is not. 

I consider the " old practice" of minerals, one 
extreme, and the steaming another. One is too 
cold, the other too hot. A medium between these 
extremes, is to me the most rational. 

Too much heat raised by cayenne is painful — 
too much cold water on the surface, after steam- 
ing, I consider dangerous. Those in favor of 
steaming, have the same right to use it, that I have 
to omit it. 



137 



BLISTERING, BLEEDING, SETONS AND ISSUES. 

These things are in such common use, that 
some may expect to read of them in this work. All 
these, I consider not only useless, but often injuri- 
ous to the sick. 

A blister is a burn, though generally only thro' 
the first skin. The flies shut up the pores and 
deaden the skin, so that the water which goes off 
by insensible perspiration, raises it up till it breaks 
and the water runs off. In a person very cold, 
there can no blister be raised. In a person warm 
and full of blood, something must be kept on, or 
the body will heal the burn ; as the course of na- 
ture is to heal any breach made upon any part of 
the body. 

The bad effects of blistering are often seen in 
addition to the trouble they cause in the first part 
of their operation. Canker often attends them, 
sometimes mortification, sometimes withered limbs 
and death. It is a fashion with some to shave the 
head, and blister it to cure a fever. The conse- 
quence of this is death in many instances. The 
blister raises the heat on the head, turns the cold 
into the brain, which ought to be thrown out ; 
brings on a delirium, and death generally follows, 
in cases where I have been acquainted. 

Bleeding, is another bad practice. " The blood 
is the life" says Moses ; and to take away the 
blood, is to take so much of the life ofthe sick man. 
A man has never too much blood, any more than 
he has too much brains, or too many bones. A 
well man never complains of too much blood ; of 
course blood is a benefit to a sick man. After a 
man has been sick, had his blood taken from him, 
is mueh weakened thereby ; the Doctor tells him 



138 

to eat and drink to make blood. If he wants 
more blood to make him strong, would he not have 
been stronger, had his blood been left in him 1 
Judge ye. 

Selons and Issues, are unnatural sores made up- 
on some part of the body. They must be kept 
open by a pea, or piece of wood, or the body ever 
friendly to each member, would heal the breach 
which the unskilful doctor has made upon the ter- 
ritory of man. It is said, " they run off' the dis- 
ease;" this is not true. I have seen them kept 
open till almost all the flesh was gone from the 
limb, and the disorder still increasing. I have 
never seen any bad effects by curing them and re- 
moving disease in a natural and rational way. 



WJMRT III. 

DISEASES, AND MANNER OF CURING THEM WITH 

VEGETABLE MEDICINE, WITHOUT THE USE OF 

MINERALS, BLEEDING OR BLISTERING. 



ABORTION. 

The symptoms of abortion are the following ; 
pain in the back, loins, and lower part of the ab- 
domen ; shiverings, flowing, nausea, palpitation of 
the heart, &c. This most commonly happens be- 
tween the second and fourth months of pregnan- 
cy ; it may, and sometimes does happen later. It 
it is generally occasioned by falls, overreaching, 
or reaching too high ; frights, disagreeable smells, 
by poisonous emetics, or by any violent commotions 
of the body or mind. 

In this case there is a loss of balance in the sys- 



ISO 

tern ; and a pressure which causes a miscarriage. 
When the above symptoms appear, the person 
should be put into a bed immediately with the 
head lower than usual. A dose of vegetable 
powders, elixir and nerve powders must be tak- 
en. If this dose does not relieve, an injection 
prepared as directed in this book, should be 
given. 

If all this does not relieve, or restore the bal- 
ance of the system, an emetic must be given; 
this will certainly prevent, if administered in sea- 
son. I will here mention a few cases in n-hich 
this course relieved, and wholly prevented an 
abortion 

1. A young woman was taken with shivering, 
pain, foe. Her husband asked me to visit her, 
in a few minutes after she was taken. She first 
took some powders. This did not relieve her. — 
We then gave her an injection, and an emetic. 
This relieved her entirely, and all was well un- 
til her child was born, which was several months 
after. 

2. Another woman about forty, in a town near 
Boston, who had overdone, was violently seized 
in the morning with pain, and flowing. A doctor 
near by, was called in. He directed the nurse 
to lay snow and ice on her bowels ; to lay her head 
low, and by all means not to take any thing warm. 
She remained in great distress through the day. 
In the morning of that day, I was sent for to attend 
her husband, who was sick with a fever. I arriv- 
ed there at 6 o'clock in the evening. Entering 
the room, my mind was greatly shocked at the 
distress of the two. The man was distressed, and 
near a delirium. The woman was at times in 
such distress that she would cry out aloud, on ac- 
count of severe pain. ', 

15 



140 

She asked me if I could do any thing to relieve 
her. My reply was, " I could relieve you, but it 
will displease your doctor." She replied, " he 
will not come again unless I send for him, and 
this I shah not do if you can help me." She fur- 
ther added.-— (l The doctor says I must not take 
any thing warm, and here I am shaking and shiv- 
ering with the cold, caused by the snow and ice 
around me. Will it do to take some of your 
Elixir." ■•* Yes, I will give you some if you will 
take it." I then gave her one tea spoonful. In 
half an hour, I gave her a table spoonful ; this re- 
lieved her some. 

I then directed her attendants to warm two thick 
blankets, to put one under and one over her, that 
she might not suffer by the wet clothes around her. 
In half an hour from giving the last elixir, I gave 
her a cup of powders, elixir and nerve pow- 
der. By midnight she was entirely free from pain, 
and the flowing ceased. As I was attending her 
husband in the same room, I frequently gave her 
warm pennyroyal tea, with elixir in it. At 5 o'- 
clock in the morning I left them both easy, and 
retired to rest. 

At 7 o'clock I went into the room, and found 
them both easy, having been refreshed with sleep. 
She stated that she felt well enough to set up, and 
had some appetite to eat. I directed her to con- 
tinue the same medicine for a few days, and in a 
short time, she was as well as before this difficulty 
happened. This course is always safe, in all cas- 
es of this kind, and may be pursued without any 
fear of an injury in taking such medicines in 
cases of this kind. 

Sometimes abortions take place, and females 
frequently loose their lives because no relief can be 
obtained to prevent a flowing on such occasions. 



141 



The same course will bring a balance in the blood 
after miscarriage, as it brings a balance of the sys- 
tem to prevent the same. It is a great mistake 
people are in, that nothing warming must be giv- 
en in these cases ; this is the only safe thing to be 
done. 

A young woman near Boston had miscarried, 
and being very weak, sent for a doctor, who di- 
rected her to take cooling things. As she grew 
no better, by her request, I called to see her. I 
left her one paper of powders and one ounce of 
elixir, to take night and morning. She took this 
four days ; at which time she walked to Boston, 
which was one mije. I gave her as much more, 
whjch wholly relieved her, and she was. soon re- 
stored to health and strength, 



AGUE IN THE FACE. 

This is a very distressing complaint, though not 
generally dangerous.. In the first stages of the a- 
gue, but little need to be done to effect a cure. — 
When a person feels his face stiff, and some pain- 
ed, hold the vegetable elixir in the mouth, and 
bathe the face where the pain and swelling is with 
the same ; which will generally remove the cold 
in a short time. 

If this does not cure, take a dose of the pow- 
ders ; then take a tea spoonful of cayenne pep- 
per, and put it in a fine cloth, tie it up, wet it in 
the elixir, and put it in the mouth, between the 
gum and the cheek ; set by the fire, with a blank- 
et over the head, and wrapped around the body. 
Set a bowl or some vessel on the hearth or floor 
before the fire, and let the water run out of the 
mouth, until the cold is out, when the pain will 
ceas#. 



142 

If the pain and swelling is in both sides, put the 
cayenne in a small cloth on both sides, which will 
cure, unless the disorder is very stubborn. 

If ail this does not cure, give an emetic, the 
same as for any other disease, which I never knew 
to fail in effecting a cure. 

The first person I ever attended with this con> 
plaint held the cayenne in her mouth three hours, 
after having been in a distressed condition for 
four days. The next day after taking this meth- 
od, she was able to attend to her business as usu- 
al ; the swelling came down, and she was no 
more troubled with it after. One instance more I 
here mention. A Physician in Boston was much 
afflicted with the ague in his face ; for seven nights 
successively he had but very little sleep. The 
eighth night he came to see me, and observed that 
he was almost dead, and could not relieve himself. 
He sat down by a good fire, and I first gave him 
a strong dose of powders ; next I fixed a small bag 
of cayenne, and put it between his cheek and 
gums ; wrapped a large blanket around him, set 
a bowl to catch the water which run from his 
mouth, and placed a chair before him to lean his 
head on. In one hour he was completely relieved 
and fell asleep. In a short time after, he went to 
bed, and slept all night. In the morning he went 
feome and was no more troubled with the ague. 



ST. ANTHONY V FIRE ERYSIPELAS. 

This disease is an inflammation principally up- 
on the skin, which appears on different parts of 
the body. It is generally caused by over heating 
the body, and cooling suddenly. 4< Every part of 
£he body is equally liable to it, but it more fre- 



143 

tjuently appears oft the lace, legs and feet than any 
Where else* When seated externally." What is 
balled th& shingles is the same disease. 

The symptoms of this disease are, — the face or 
other 1 parts, are inflamed with pimples, scurf, blis- 
ters, large or small, with heat, redness, itching 
and smarting, drowsiness, and sometimes difficul- 
ty of breathing are its attendants. 

The different states of this disease require dif- 
ferent modes of treatment. In the first of this dis- 
ease, it may be cured by taking the Vegetable 
Powders, and Elixir, night and morning, and bath- 
ing the affected parts with the Elixir and Botanic 
Ointment, two or three times in a day, and wear- 
ing soft flannel to keep off the cold. 

When this does not cure, the Emetic must be 
given, the same as to remove any other kind of 
cold and obstructions, and to open the pores. — 
This operation, and bathing with the elixir, and 
botanic ointment, will perform a permanent cure, 
by continuing the application till the disease is re- 
moved. The emetic must be continued once in 
three, four, or five days, until the cause is wholly 
removed, taking the powders every night, until a 
cure is performed. 



APOPLEXY. 

" Apoplexy is a sudden deprivation of all the 
senses, and all the sensible motions of the body ; 
excepting that of the heart and lungs.' ' 

This word originally meant to knock down, be- 
cause it causes a person to fall down as though 
dead. It means a -sudden loss of sense and mo- 
tion, in which the person is, to all appearance, 
dead, the heart and lungs however continue to 
move. The real cause of apoplexy, is too great a 
15* 



144 

quantity of water and cold in the brain, which ob* 
structs and prevents the natural circulation of the 
blood through all parts of the body. The causes 
of this disease are numerous, but any thing which 
causes an unnatural pressure towards the brain, 
or that prevents the return of the blood from the 
head, may bring it on. 

The usual fore-runners of an apoplexy are, gid- 
diness, pain and swimming in the head, loss of 
memory, drowsiness, noise in the ears, an invol- 
untary flow of tears, and difficulty in breathing, 

The manner of removing this kind of obstruc- 
tion is the same, as for removing obstructions from 
any other part of the body. — An emetic, by being 
often repeated, will cure without fail. My method 
is, first to give the vegetable powders, then give 
emetic, as directed in this work, going through a 
regular course. If once does not cure, in the course 
of one, two or three days, as the case may require, 
give the same again, administering the pow- 
ders, night and morning, with the bitters, and such 
food as the person can eat, as much and as often 
as he wishes for food. His drink may be cider, 
beer, coffee, tea, milk porridge or gruel. 

A laboring man in Boston, about fifty three 
years old, who had some years before had one or 
two slight shocks of the apoplexy was so violently 
shocked, that he had but little knowledge of any 
thing. He sent for me at night. He appeared 
quite stupid, though he knew me. I first gave him 
the emetic, described in this work. It operated 
through the whole system, and greatly relieved 
him. The next morning he was able to walk a- 
bout, and in a short time went to his work as usu- 
al, and has never felt any of the difficulty since, 
which is four or five years. After taking the erne- 



145 



tic, he took powders and bitters, some time l and 
ate the same as before. 



APPETITE. 

There are three states of the appetite. One is 
regular, the other two are irregular ; in one, the 
person craves more food than a well man needs ; 
in the other, he can eat but littie,*and that often 
cause pain, or appears to him to be lost. A per- 
son with a canine appetite will grow poor, the 
same as the one who has little or no appetite. In 
either of these cases, the stomach is foul and cold, 
which obstructs and injures the digestive powers. 
To remedy either of these difficulties, the stomach 
must be warmed and cleansed, that it may be pro- 
perly toned, when the appetite will become regu- 
lar, the food digest, and the whole body receive its 
part of nourishment from the food eaten. 

Two things may be done for relief. The first, 
is to take the vegetable or hygeian powders, night 
and morning, and the vegetable bitters, or restora- 
tive, two or three times in a day. If the stomach 
is not very foul and cold, this will cure ; but if it 
is, the stomach and bowels must be cleansed and 
warmed with the vegetable emetic, until the cause 
is removed. Sometimes one course will do, some- 
times two or three ; and in some cases, the person 
must be attended four or five times. [See stomach.] 
All kinds of minerals must be avoided in these 
cases, such as mercury, arsenic, nitre, &c. ; also 
bleeding, blistering, taking salts, and any other 
cold thing, as they increase the difficulty, instead 
of effecting a cure. 

In the summer of 1821, I visited a young lady, 
who was considered consumptive ; she was poor, 
pale and weak, yet had a craving appetite, and 



U6 

was in frequent want of food, which, when she 
had eaten, did not hurt her. With all she ate, shS 
grew poor and weak. I first gave her the vegeta- 
ble powders for a few days ; then attended her 
through a regular course of medicine five times in 
about five weeks ; giving her between the times, 
the powder every night, the bitters three times in 
a day. Her appetite soon became regular, her di- 
gestion good, and she soon enjoyed a comfortable 
state of health. 



ASTHMA. 

"Asthma is a difficulty of respiration, or breath- 
ing, from a disorder in the lungs, usually attended 
with violent motions of the diaphragm, abdominal 
and intercostal muscles, and with asterter, or ratle- 
ing in the throat. 

This word signifies to breathe with difficulty. — - 
The real cause of the Asthma is a cold in the 
lungs, and the neighboring parts connected with 
the lungs ; the midriff, the muscles of the bowels, 
throat, &c. The action of all these parts must 
be regulated, and the balance of every irregular 
part restored, before this difficulty can be remov- 
ed. 

It appears to be the common opinion of doctors, 
and others, that air is the cause of breathing ; but 
this is a great mistake. There is as much air in 
and round a dead man, as there is in and round a 
living man. It is heat that makes a man breathe ; 
and for want of this in the lungs, a man complains 
of a difficulty in breathing, or is said to have the 
asthma. Let any man have a cold in his lungs, 
and his breathing is hard. The cold air presses 
down the windpipe, and expands the lungs as it 
passes from the large pipe to the smaller ones.-— 



147 

This extends the lungs like filling the bellows 
with wind. As it is natural for the muscles of the 
lung to contract, or draw up, the heat of the lungs 
rarify the cold air, and it is pressed out warm, and 
feels warm as it passes out through the mouth, In 
a well man, the air is warmer in the lungs, and 
he throws out the rarified air with ease, awake or 
asleep. 

When the lungs are so cold as to loose their na- 
tural action or tone, they neither warm the air, 
nor press it out with ease ; this produces what is 
called the asthma. A drowned person looses the 
heat to a greater degree, and cannot breathe at all. 
Warm him, and get his blood in motion, and he 
will breathe again. 

To cure the asthma, the heat must be raised in 
the whole man, so high as to wholly clear the lungs 
of the cold. If the cold is removed only from the 
lungs, the man will breathe easy for a short time, 
then the cold from the body will fill that rarified 
space, and the difficulty will return again. 

The only cure for the asthma that I have found 
is, to give medicine that will clear the whole body 
of the cold ; this is the emetic No. 1, and its at- 
tendant, (an injection) this will cure, in all cura- 
ble cases. It must be repeated, until relief is ob- 
tained. 

1 have never found but one case, that remained 
uncured, after giving medicine several times. — 
This was a young man who had a violent cold on his 
lungs, by going into a fresh pond to swim and bathe 
himself. I attended him from eight to twelve 
times. He was much relieved, but not wholly 
cured. This is the only case in which this mode 
of treating the disease has failed. I have no doubt 
that he might have been wholly cured, had he 



148 

been careful, and persevered in the same course 
of medicine. 

The first person I ever attended with this com- 
plaint, was the wife of Lewis Studley, of Scituate, 
Mass. She had been considered in a decline, in 
addition to the asthma. In the spring of 1818, I 
attended her five or six times ; she was cured of 
the asthma and her other complaints, and has 
from that time enjoyed good health. She was at- 
tended through a regular course of medicine once 
in one, two or three weeks, as her situation re- 
quired, taking between the times of being attends 
ed, powders, bitters, &c. 

BEARING DOWN. 

This is caused by cold in the womb, and the 
parts connected with it ; by which the muscles or 
springs fail to support what they were originally 
designed to do. Sometimes this is a complaint of 
women, otherwise considerably healthy. In gen- 
eral it is peculiar to weakly women, as they are 
called. In such as are otherwise healthy, all need- 
ful to remove this difficulty is, to take the vegeta- 
ble powders, or hygeian compound, and elixir for 
sometime, and while taking these use injections 
two or three times in a week. Let the injections 
or clyster be given at night, in bed. 

If this does not cure, it is because other parts 
of the body are so cold that the parts warmed by 
this application, are filled again from the cold in 
the system generally. When this is the ease, the 
emetic must be given with the injection, until the 
obstructions are removed from the body ; by this 
means the whole system will receive nourishment 
from food, and the parts weakened, will become 
strong, and thus remove the disorder. This 



149 

method of curing a bearing down, I have pursued 
for several years, and have never known it to fail 
of effecting a cure, unless in cases where the sick 
were past cure, by some other disease ; such as 
consumption or dropsy, in the last stages of the 
complaint. 



BITES AND STINGS OF INSECTS, AND VENOMOUS OR 
POISONOUS ANIMALS, 

The stings of wasps, hornets, bees, &c. are 
generally cured easy, if attended to in season. I 
have always cured them by applying the vegetable 
elixir. This takes out the inflammation and re- 
moves the pain in a short time. In some cases of 
a sting, people were sick at the stomach so as to 
puke. When this is the case, the person ought, 
in addition to bathing the part with the elixir, to 
drink from a table spoonful to half a wine glass of 
the same ; this will remove the sickness, and pre- 
vent any injury being done to the stomach. 

The bites of poisonous or venomous animals ; 
such as rattle snakes, scorpions, spiders, vipers, 
mad dogs, cats, &c. are generally attended with 
alarming and dangerous consequences, unless the 
poison or infection is removed from the body. All 
poison is cold, and when a person is bitten, the 
poison is carried from the bite, in the blood to the 
heart, and from the heart to every part of the 
body, and in this way the whole system is affected. 

The certain and safe way of treating all these 
bites at first or at any time, is to give the emetic 
in the usual form ; this will raise the heat to such 
a degree as to prevent any injury to the stomach, 
heart, bowels or limbs. By repeating this the 
whole system may be cleared from the infection,, 
and the health and life of the man preserved. 



150 



BLOOD SPITTING OF, COUGHING, VOMITING, &,C. 

Much is said of bleeding at the lungs; I am 
not yet convinced that any such thing ever took 
place. The common cause of raising blood, by 
spitting, coughing or vomiting, is the canker, 
caused by cold. This sometimes eats off the 
blood vessels ; sometimes the veins or arteries. — 
When large veins or arteries are eaten off by can- 
ker, death generally is the consequence. Spitting 
blood is not generally dangerous, unless in persons 
consumptive : — Vomiting blood is often the fore- 
runner of death. 

The remedy in this case is a strong tea made 
ofthebarkof bayberry root or sumac berries with 
a teaspoonful of cayenne, to about one quart of 
water, and these well boiled together. This tea, 
and one teaspoonful of the leaf of the emetic and 
one teaspoonful of the seed of the emetic No. 2, 
given three times according to the direction in 
other cases, with a clyster of the same, will not 
fail of effecting a cure, unless the person is too 
far gone to be restored. 

In several cases of this kind, people have 
thought an emetic would increase the discharge 
of blood ; but it has always checked it, and giv- 
en relief. In November, 1820, a young man by 
the name of Joseph Chandler, bled to such a de- 
gree that his friends did not expect him to live 
till morning. The next week I gave my emetic y 
which so relieved him, that in once attending 
him he was cured of that, and has not raised any 
blood from that time to the present, 1822. 

In giving the emetic, it must be repeated until 
the cause is removed. This is very different from 
the fashionable mode of stopping what is called 



m 

bleeding at the lungs, which is the following: 
"bleeding, laxatives, alum, bark, nitre, small do- 
ses of vitriolated iron calcined/' &c. "Blue vit- 
riol, alcohol, compound tincture of Benjamin, vit- 
riolated iron, &c. — [Elliot's Pocket Book.] Blue 
vitriol is a preparation of copper, and a dead poison. 

BILES. 

Biles are caused by cold, which the heat of the 
body drives from different parts to one place. — 
When a quantity of cold matter is collected, an 
inflammation appears , which is a war between the 
heat and cold ; the heat risesto throw from the 
body, what is thrown together in one or more pla- 
ces. This cold ought never to be scattered, as 
the heat has driven it to one point. 

The first thing to be done is, to raise the heat 
in the body by giving the vegetable powders, or 
hygeian compound, this will ease the pain. Next 
make a poultice of pulverised elm moistened with 
a strong tea made of hemlock bark, raspberry 
leaves, sumac berries, or pond-lilly roots. When 
the poultice is dry, wet it with tea. Make a new 
poultice twice a day ; this, with the powders taken, 
will help to bring the sore to an head. As soon 
as it is ripe, if it does not break, open it, that the 
corrupted matter may pass off. After this, apply 
the salve mentioned in this book, keep it suitably 
warm, and a cure may be expected soon. 



BREASTS INFLAMED. 

This inflammation must be treated the same as 

biles, unless it is too stubborn to yield to such a 

mode of treatment. In that case, the person must 

be carried through a regular course of medicine. 

16 



152 

This will either remove cold, or bring it to an 
head sooner/ by applying the poultice after the 
operation of the emetic is over. 

If women, soon after their children are born, 
would be particular to take thehygeian compound 
and elixir, night and morning, or only at night, 
they would seldom, if ever, be troubled with such 
inflammations, or with broken breasts, as they 
are termed. 



CANCER. 



This is an affliction which many endure with 
much alarm, as it is generally agreed that a can- 
cer cannot be cured. From what several authors 
have written, it is evident that the nature of a 
cancer and the cure is but little understood by 
men called learned doctors. We will quote three* 
Elliot says, "that a cancer is a round unequal tu- 
mor, of a livid color, surrounded with varicose 
vessels, and seated in the glandulus parts of the 
body. — Some cancers are fixed, others moveable ; 
some pale, others red and inflamed ; sometimes 
they remain harmless for years, at others they in- 
crease hastily, ulcerate, discharge a feted sanious 
ichor, and soon prove mortal. 

Treatment. — Bleeding, in a case of inflamma- 
tion ; cooling laxatives ; salt water i extract of 
garden hemlock, magnesia, soap, or the like, in 
small doses as alteratives ; muriated barytes, the 
deadly night shade, and arsenic have also been 
found serviceable. Hemlock fermentations have 
been found beneficial." 

Dr. Hooper gives the following. "Cancer.— 
Carcinoma. A painful, hard, indolent tumor of a 
glandular part, which terminates in the foulest ui- 



153 

cer. Those t amors were so called by the ancients, 
that exhibited large blue veins, like crab's claws, 
from cancer, a crab. 

Mode of cure. Excision. When that is not 
permitted, arsenic: a carrot poultice ; cicuta, bel- 
ladonna, or stramonium." 

Dr. Bucan says, "This is one of those diseases 
for which no certain remedy is yet known." 

Two things are evident from these quotations. 
One is, that these doctors knew how to describe a 
cancer. The other thing is, that they do not 
know what will cure. 

These authors acknowledge that a cancer is art 
ulcer of the foulest kind, and direct poison to be 
administered, which never can cure. 

The fact respecting a cancer is this, it is can- 
ker, making its appearance in one part of the bo* 
dy, shewing that the whole body is more or less 
affected with the same. Many appearances in the 
body are called cancers, which are only warts or 
things which never injure the system ; and often 
men have the name of curing a cancer, when they 
have only removed something else. A real can- 
cer may be taken out, but this can never cure the 
disease in the person, for it is in every part, more 
or less. 

To cure a real cancer, whether the common 
kind, or what is called a rose cancer, the whole 
system must first be cleared of canker. When 
this is done, there is nothing left to support what 
is called the cancer. 

My method of curing is, first to clear the sys*- 
tem with the emetic, &>c. giving powders, bitters, 
&c. to help the digestion, and continue this 
course until the whole body is cleared of what 
makes and supports the cancer. While attending 



154 

to this, apply the chancer plaster, which goes into the 
gore, and lessens it. The cancer eats the plaster, 
instead of being eaten out by the plaster.— When 
the plaster is all gone from the soft leather, or 
bladder on which it is spread, more must be put 
on, until a cure is performed. 

I will here mention a cure of a rose cancer, 
which I attended in the winter of 1825. Mr. 
John Fawcett, had been troubled for several years, 
with a bad humor under his left jaw. Several 
doctors had tried to cure it, but it increased. At 
length it broke out upon the edge of his under 
jaw, which greatly alarmed him. It had all the 
appearance of a rose cancer. He applied to me. 
I carried him through a regular course of medi- 
cine six times in about six weeks. While giving 
him these six emetics, four sores came out on the 
side of his neck, directly under the cancer. — 
These soon healed up and were well. 

The cancer was nearly as large as a cent, and 
about as round, and nearly the fourth of an inch 
thick. While attending him, I kept the cancer 
plaster on, after it had been poulticed a while. — 
At the end of six weeks, the cancer had dimin- 
ished in size more than two thirds, and was very 
thin at the edge. 

After about six weeks from the time I began 
with him, he went into the country, and was gone 
four weeks. In all this time he wore the cancer 
plaster. When he returned, the cancer was all 
gone, and only a small scab was seen which soon 
fell off, and he was wholly cleared from the diffi- 
culty, and so he remains. In this way all real 
cancers may be cured, if attended to in season, 
and treated as thoy ought to be. 



I ol 



CANKER. 



There is scarcely any disease so destructive to 
men as the canker. It is caused by wet, cold 
and heat. It even attacks impure gold and silver. 
James says, "Your gold and silver is cankered." 
Paul says, "Their words will eat as doth a canker." 
Wherever the cold is seated, canker is its attend- 
ant ; and eats the flesh upon the outside or with- 
in. It is seen on the lips, on the tongue : on dif- 
ferent parts of the skin and flesh, where the cold 
is seated. It has a great variety of names, but is 
only one thing. It is often in the throat, stomach, 
bowels, &,c. It causes bleeding at the stomach, 
from the blood vessels, veins and arteries. People 
frequently bleed and die, because the canker eats 
off the veins or arteries. 

Sometimes it is called the bleeding piles ; some- 
times tumors, scrofula, king's evil, and many other 
names, but after all, it is a canker, or that which 
eats the flesh. Whenever a person has what is 
called a settled fever, the canker is in the stomach, 
In a pleurisy, people frequently bleed at the mouth, 
nose, &c. and frequently their mouths, tongues 
and lips will be sore, which is the canker. Some- 
times it will be seen in the ears, sometimes in the 
eyes, and at other times it will appear in the skin, 
in various parts of the body, and often in almost 
every part of the man. 

In the dysentery, the canker is in the bowels, 
and frequently causes what is called, "mortifica- 
tion in the bowels." 

I have known the doctors to order salts for can- 
ker, which is bad, as it increases the difficulty. — 
Canker is caused by cold, and every thing of a 
cold nature makes more. Mercury on the eyes, 
attracts the canker, and causes blindness; and 



156 

there is no 'doubt but this has often caused a mor- 
tification in the bowels, by increasing the canker 
there. Giving common physic, is very injurious 
where the canker has taken hold of the bowels. 

Where there is not much canker, a strong tea 
made of red raspberry leaves, and drank freely is 
good. The leaves of witch-hazel, sumac berries, 
bark or leaves, or the root of pond lillies, made in- 
to a strong tea, is good in this case. 

Where the canker is bad, and has a strong hold 
of the stomach, bowels, or any other part, the sure 
remedy is, to go through a regular course of med- 
icine, and continue it until a cure is effected. — 
This will in a few times clear the whole system ot 
this dangerous disease. 



CATARRH. 

This word means to flow down, or a fall of wa- 
ter. It is "an increased secretion of mucus, from 
the membranes of the nose, fauces, and bronchi®, 
with fever, and attended with sneezing, cough, 
thirst, lassitude, and want of appetite " What is 
commonly called the catarrh, is nothing more or 
less than water in the head, which drops down in- 
stead of passing off in the natural way. W r hen 
the man is well, the useless water passes off by 
sensible or insensible perspiration, and by urine, &/C. 
If there is not heat enough to carry the water off 
through the pores of the head, it falls down. If 
there is not heat enough for this, the water stops, 
and then the person is said to have the dropsy in 
the head. This is the origin of the catarrh. I 
have attended many people, who, among other 
cold complaints, were troubled with the catarrh. 
When their other difficulties were removed, the 
catarrh has always gone with them. 



157 

Raising the heat through the whole body, 
either by vegetable powders, or emetic, if the 
powders are not powerful enough, will certainly 
cure the catarrh ; as many can testify who have 
received the medicine recommended in this work. 



CHICKEN-POX. 

The following are the usual symptoms of this 
disease; "dullness, heat, and the usual precurso- 
ry symptoms of fever; but milder than in the 
small pox. They rise like those of the small pox, 
but may be known from them by the matter being 
more like water than pus; by little vesicles or 
bladders filled with water, on the top of such pus- 
tules as are whole ; and by turning about the fifth 
day." 

The best thing to be done is to raise the in- 
ward heat by giving a strong tea made of penny- 
royal, mayweed, or yarrow. If this does not 
cure, give the vegetable or hygiean powders, which 
will generally drive out the cold and canker. — 
When all these fail, give the emetic and injec- 
tion, which never fails to relieve, if applied in 
season. 



s C.HILLBLANS. 

Chillblains mean an inflammation of the extreme 
parts of the body from cold, attended with violent 
itching, and sometimes forming a gangrenous ul- 
cer The feet are the most commonly affected 
with this difficulty. "Chillblains commonly attack 
children in cold weather, They are generally oc- 
casioned by the feet and hands being kept long 
wet or cold, and afterwards suddenly heated. 



158 

When children are cold, instead of exercise to 
warm themselves gradually, they run to the fire— 
This occasions a sudden rarefaction of humors, 
and infraction of the vessels; which being often 
repeated, the vessels are at last over^distended, 
and forced to give way." 

In common cases, bathing the hands and feet, 
morning and evening, with the vegetable elixir, 
ana 1 ointment will cure in a short time. In some 
instances I have seen the feet so bad, that there 
was an appearance of mortification. In such a, 
case, my mode of cure is, to clear the body by 
emetic, &,c. take out the inflammation with a poulr 
tice, and then apply the cancer plaster, or botanic, 
ointment, which seldom fails of effecting a cure, 



CHILDBIRTH. 

This is a circumstance in the life of women, 
which requires particular attention. For several 
weeks before the birth of the child, the woman 
should be kept easy in body and mind. She should 
drink freely, several times in a day, a tea made of 
slippery elm bark, which will greatly ease the la-< 
bor and pain at the birth of the child. She 
should also take the hygiean compound every 
night for two or three weeks beforehand. 

After the birth of the child, let the same pow- 
ders be given, which will prevent after pains, fe- 
ver, sores, or broken breasts. Be careful not to 
bleed before nor after, as it is an injury. Do not 
take salts, laudanum, no paragoric, nor give any 
of these to the child. If the child is troubled 
with wind, or pain in the bowels, bathe with the 
vegetable elixir, which will remove the pain, and 
prevent their crying much for three months. 



15f 

CHOLERA MORBUS, 

These two words describe a difficulty in the 
stomach and bowels at the same time. One sig- 
nifies bile and the other flux. It is a purging and 
vomiting of bile, with anxiety, painful gripings, 
spasms of the abdominal muscles and those of the 
thigh. Buchan gives the following description of 
it, page 343. "The cholera morbus is a violent 
purging and vomiting, attended with gripes, sick- 
ness, and a constant desire to go to stool. There 
is hardly any disease that kills more quickly than 
this, when proper means are not used in due time 
for removing it. It is generally preceded by 
heartburn, sour belchings, and flatulence, with 
pain of the stomach and intestines. To these 
succeed excessive vomiting and purging of green, 
yellow, or blackish colored bile, with a distention 
of the stomach, and violent griping pains. 

Violent hiccupping, fainting and convulsions, 
are the signs of approaching death." 

In this disease, (in violent cases,) the first thing 
to be done, is to give an injection, as directed in 
this work. As soon as this has done operating, 
give the emetic as directed in this book. If once 
does not cure, apply the same again in a day or 
two, or sooner if the disease requires it. Between 
the times of giving the emetic, give the cholera 
cordial, pills, and powders, as directed, with such 
food and drink as the patient requires. 

In the year 1817, this disorder prevailed in 
Charlestown, Mass. to an alarming degree. I 
was sent for to attend a woman violently seized 
with it. I went to her house about 7 o'clock in 
the evening. Aa soon as medicine could be pre- 
pared, I gave it as above mentioned. As soon as 
lb©- emetic operated, the violent vomiting ceased, 



160 

In a short time she became entirely calm; at 3 
o'clock in the morning, she was entirely relieved, 
and was no more troubled with it. Many others 
have been attended in the same way, and I have 
never known this course of medicine to fail of ef- 
fecting acure, if applied in season, 

In the year 1832, much was said of this terri- 
ble disease ; particularly in Europe where it has 
swept away millions of men. It has made terrible 
ravages in Russia, Prussia, and many other pla- 
ces. Many have died with cholera in America, 
and it rages in some places to this day, (1836.) It 
is said to be more destructive than the plague in 
former years. There were a considerable num- 
ber who died in Boston, with the Cholera Mor* 
bus, though not with the Asiatic Cholera. 

In 1832 there were many deaths by this dis- 
ease. The regular Doctors in Boston, gave the 
following, as near as I remember. — Half a gill of 
hot brandy, with fifty drops of laudanum once in 
half an hour, for two hours, then to lay bags of 
hot sand on them from head to foot, and poultices 
besides; injecting one tea-spoonful of laudanum 
up the rectum, with the other doses. I doubt 
whether there is a man on earth, who could take 
all this, and live twenty-four hours. 

The general cause of the cholera morbus is a 
stoppage in the pylorus, or outlet from the stomach 
into the bowels, caused by a cold in that part, 
which prevents the food from passing off regular- 
ly. This brings on a labor of the stomach and 
bowels, to clear each part at the same time. 

The only sure way to remove this disease is, to 
remove the cause, or to take away the cold from 
the pylorus, and to restore the tone of the stomach 
and bowels. This can certainly be done, if at- 



261 

tended to in season, with injections and emetics 
as directed. 

This disease may generally be prevented, if the 
preventive is applied in season. People who have 
cold stomachs and bowels, and who are subject to 
a relax of the bowels, or who are frequently cos- 
tive, or are troubled with dyspepsia, are the most 
liable to this disease. Such people, should fre- 
quently take the Vegetable Powders, Elixir, Cho- 
lera Cordial, Pills, &,c, or an Emetic. These 
things will warm the stomach and bowels, and 
save from that destroyer of the human race. 

People who wish to avoid this disease, must de- 
termine not to take mercury, antimony, nitre, 
salts, nor any other mercurial preparation* such as 
calomel, corosive sublimate, sub-muriate, &c. 
they should not be bled, as all these things serve 
to increase disease, instead of overcoming or re- 
moving it. 

In the year 1832, I had a number of Caseg 
called the cholera. By giving them powders, elix- 
ir, pills, cholera cordial, &,c. all were cured but 
four, without emetics. These we gave emetics, 
&,c. and cured in one day. One man went home 
from his work towards night, and was taken with 
violent pain in his stomach and bowels. He sent 
for me at eight o'clock, in the evening. He was 
very sick, and said to me, I never knew such pain 
before. I first gave him an injection, and then 
the emetic. The discharge from his bowels was 
so offensive, that it was hardly possible to stay ia 
the room. The medicine operated well, and be- 
fore ten o'clock, he was entirely easy, and I left 
him. The next morning I returned, and found 
him sitting in his chair. He observed be had eat 
his breakfast, and expected to be about soon, He 



162 

tarried in the house two days after, and went to 
his work, and has never been since troubled with 
that disease. 



COLD. 



It is a common thing for people to say they have 
a very bad cold, and indeed I never knew them 
to have a good one. 

In the first stages of a common cold, warm the 
bed, drink freely of hot mayweed, or yarrow tea, 
if no other remedy can be obtained. My method 
of treating a common cold is this ; warm the bed 
at night, give a strong dose of the vegetable pow- 
ders, with a tea-spoonful of the elixir in the above 
tea, or penny-royal tea. This course will not on- 
ly throw off a cold, but it often prevents a fever. 



COUGH. 



This is a word much used by people in general. 
They have a bad cough, an hard dry cough, an 
hacking cough, a tedious cough, a wearing cough, 
whooping cough, consumptive cough, nervous 
cough, stomach cough, lung cough, &,c. &c. 

After all this, is "a v!Ough" a disease, or is it not? 
It is not. It shews disease, but is itself a friend 
to man. It is as essential to man, as a pump is to 
the vessel. The cough is frequently disordered, 
and cannot perform its natural operation. How 
many times do we hear people say, that after cough- 
ing, and thereby clearing the stomach, they fell 
better. The patent medicines for stopping a cough, 
are generally injurious ; for when a cougli is stop- 
ped, the sick man soon dies. A consumptive man 
will live while he can cough, but when he cannot 



163 

raise up the cold and phlegm, he dies in short 
time In a cough, medicine ought to be given 
that will warm and clear the stomach of the cold, 
and filth, and which will bring the whole system 
into harmony with the warm, clean state of the 
stomach. 

My method in the first state of what is called a 
cough is, first to warm the stomach with Hygeian 
powders and elixir, as. directed to^use them. Next 
give the " cough powders." If this does not re- 
lieve, ^ive them a regular course of medicine, (the 
injection and emetic) with powders, bitters, pills, 
elm bark, &>c. which will cure, unless the person 
is so far gone as to be past recovery. 

In the whooping cough, the Hygeian powders 
given every night, and cough powders, a tea spoon- 
ful at night, and when the child has an hard time 
of coughing, will generally cure in a few days ; if 
this does not cure, give the emetic, a few times will 
certainly relieve. 



cholic. 

According to modern descriptions, there are the 
following kinds of cholic — Bilious, hysteric, in- 
flammatory, nervous, stone, and wind cholic. 

However many kinds of cholic may be describ- 
ed, one course of medicine will cure the person, 
let him be troubled with either. All needful is to 
remove the obstructions from the part where the 
pain and distress is felt. The bilious cholic is 
caused by an obstruction of the bile, or the outlet 
of the gall bladder. To cure this complaint give 
the injection and emetic, once in two or three days, 
until the cause is removed. Following "this course 
a cure is certain. 

I have attended people troubled with these va- 
17 



164 

rious kinds of cholic, as they are called, and one 
or two courses of medicine has always given im- 
mediate relief. I was once violently attacked with 
the bilious cholic, and going through the regular 
course of medicine twice, entirely cured me, so 
that it has not in the least troubled me for twenty 
years. 

In common cases of wind or hysteric cholic, a 
table spoonful of the " vegetable elixir/' taken 
clear, will generally remove the pain in a few min- 
utes. Bathing the bowels at the same time with 
the elixir, will greatly assist in relieving in addi- 
tion to taking it inwardly. I have frequently re- 
Jievecrxhildren by only bathing the bowels with 
this medicine. 



CONSUMPTION. 

This signifies wasting or decay of the whole 
body, generally attended with a dry cough, quick 
pulse, night sweats, pain in the side, and sometimes 
a wasting without any fever, or other symptoms of 
consumption. 

Whatever may be considered the cause of this 
disease, a cold is always at the bottom of it. Most 
people with this complaint, date the beginning of 
the disorder from wet feet, damp beds, night air, 
wet clothes, or taking cold after being very warm. 
This is generally the first cause. The second 
cause is often that which is given to cure. Let a 
person with consumptive symptoms, take the things 
directed at this day for that complaint, and he 
will be about certain to have a settled consumption, 
and be pronounced past cure in a few weeks or 
months. 

The following are some of the remedies for a 



J (55 

consumption, as directed by some of the most 
learned Doctors. Bleeding, nitre, ipecacuanha, 
issues, seatons, a perpetual blister at the pit of the 
stomach, peruvian bark, opiates administered at 
night to appease the cough, and procure rest. — 
Some "have recommended burying the patient up 
to the chin in fresh dug earth, for some time." El- 
liot says, " for sweats, give vitriolic acid, or let a 
calico waistcoat, steaped in a strong decoction of 
bark, well dried, and renewed daily, be worn next 
to the skin." 

Such things as these, given to a person inclin- 
ing to a consumption, would in a short time place 
him beyond a cure. The balm of quito, has been 
recommended, but I do not think a worse thing 
was ever given in consumptive cases. But few can 
ever take more than from two to four bottles. 

There is no disorder more easily cured than what 
is called " the consumption/' if rightly attended 
to in season. When the stomach has by cold and 
filth, lost its action, there is no cure ; as at that 
time, the flesh and blood is nearly gone, and the 
person must die. 

I am more frequently called to attend consump- 
tive people than any other, and seldom fail of cur- 
ing them. My method is this ; first, give them 
the "vegetable powders, or hygeian compound, for 
a few days. After this, give them an emetic, as 
in other cases of cold, and foulness of the sto- 
mach. This should be done two or three times 
in a week, as their situation may require. Be- 
tween the times of attending them, give the 
" vegetable bitters," or restorative, about three 
times in a day, and the powders every night. — 
Sometimes it is needful to give the cordial twice a 
day, a wine glass full at once : in this ease omit 



im 

the bitters so much as to take both three times in a 
day. While going through the regular courses of 
medicine, the best method is to let them eat such 
food as their appetite craves, and as much as they 
need. 

In some cases three, four, or five times are suf- 
ficient. In the year 1821, I attended a woman 
thirteen times in about four months ; at which time 
the cause was removed. 

Young females are more liable to consumption, 
than auy other class of people. By being careless 
of themselves when they ought to be uncommonly 
careful, they often lay a foundation for death. — ■ 
Wetting their feet, going too thin clothed, going 
from warm rooms, and warm exercise, often brings 
on this complaint. Having their clothes too tight, 
and prerenting the natural circulation of the blood, 
is another bad thing. If they would, when thus 
exposed, take a dose of the vegetable powders, or 
hygeian compound, or a table spoonful of the elix- 
ir, or even a strong cup of pennyroyal, mayweed, 
or horehound tea, a consumption might often be 
prevented ; and even avoiding minerals, might 
prevent it. 



CONVULSIONS. 



These are involuntary contractions (or spasms) 
of the muscles, (or springs) and the consequent 
motions of the parts which they serve, such as the 
head, hands, feet, legs, &,c. This generally aris- 
es from a disorder, or cramp in the stomach, which 
extends to every part of the body ; depriving the 
person of sense, and causing all the motions of the 
body to be involuntary. 

The certain cure for this is, to give about half 



167 

a table spoonful of the vegetable emetic, (No. 2.) 
In about fifteen minutes after, give a tea spoonful 
more, in half a tea cup of pennyroyal tea. This 
will generally make them vomit, and give relief. 
After this, give them more of the same tea, or any 
other drink they choose. 

When the jaws are locked, the emetic must be 
put between the teeth and cheeks, and crowded 
with the hand beyond the teeth ; and as soon as 
it touches the roots of the tongue, the mouth will 
open. 



CRAMP. 



This is a spasm of the muscle, or muscles, or a 
contraction, caused by cold in that part of the 
body. Cold in the stomach or limbs brings it on. 

When in the stomach, half a wine glass of elix- 
ir swallowed, will generally relieve instantly. If 
this does not relieve, give half a table spoonful of 
emetic, No. 2, the same as for convulsions, this 
will relieve. 

Cramp in the neck, hands, arms, feet and legs, 
may be at once removed, by bathing the parts af- 
fected with the elixir, sitting near the fire, or keep- 
ing warm in bed. 



CROUP. 



This is a species of asthma and catarrh, and if 
neglected, or unskillfully treated, is a disease fatal 
to children, who are the most subject to it 

" Children are often seized very suddenly with 
this disease, which, if not quickly removed, proves 
mortal." It is known by various names, some call 
it hives, and some the rising of the lights. 
17* 



im 

" This disease generally prevails in cold and 
wet seasons. It is most common upon the sea 
coast, and in low marshy countries. Children of 
a gross and lax habit are most liable to it. It gen- 
erally attacks children in the night, after having 
teen much exposed to damp cold easterly winds, 
through the day. Damp houses, wet feet, thin 
shoes, wet clothes, or any thing that obstructs the 
perspiration may occasion the croup. 

"It is attended with a frequent pulse, quick and 
laborious breathings, which is performed with a 
peculiar kind of croaking noise, that may be heard 
at a considerable distance. The voice is sharp 
and shrill, and the face is generally much flushed, 
though sometimes it is of a livid color." 

The manner of curing this disease, as directed 
by those of our day, called the. most skillful, is to 
bleed often, give emetics, or antimonial solutions; 
to apply mustard poultices, blister the throat, &c. 
Doctor Ewell directs the tincture of foxglove, or 
calomel, from thirty to sixty grains ; and in some 
cases laudanum. I c is not strange that children 
with this disease so generally die. 1 do not think 
there are many well children that would live long, 
if they were to take what is given to children seiz- 
ed with the croup. 

If this disease is caused by cold, or damp air, 
and want of natural perspiration, there is no way 
to remove it, but by removing the cold, opening 
the pores, and by removing what has caused ob- 
structions, in the head, throat and neck. Warm 
pennyroyal and mayweed tea is very good, in slight 
cases of croup ; but the only certain cure is, to 
give the emetic, as prepared for children, and con- 
tinue this every day, or every other day, as the 
case may require, until the cause h removed.— 



109 

This, with the above course of medicine, may be 
done with safety and success. 



ST. VITUS DANCE. 

This is a kind of convulsion, spasm, or want of 
balance in the muscles or springs of the body. It 
effects the head, arms, legs, speech, causes a loll- 
ing out of the tongue, drawing one leg after the 
other like an idiot ;' with a variety of odd and ri- 
diculous gestures. It generally effects the youth, 
between ten and fourteen years of age. Male and 
female are subject to this complaint ; but females 
are the most liable to it. 

The cause of this want of balance in the sys- 
tem, is cold, or whatever takes away the natural 
motiou of the muscles. I once attended a young 
girl, who was in a violent motion, caused by tak- 
ing minerals, given by one of the regular Doctors. 
A lad fell into the water in August, which caused 
the rheumatism; this soon went off, in a few 
weeks, he had this dance from hand to foot ; yet 
he appeared in other respects as healthy as usual. 

The course I have pursued to cure this singular 
disease is, first to clear the head, stomach and 
bowels, and raise the inward heat so high, as to 
remove the cold from every part, and thus restore 
the balance of the whole muscular system. 

To do all this, the stomach must be cleared with 
emetics ; such as this book describes, if that is not 
enough, give injections occasionally. With these 
give hygeian compound, panacia pills, and resto- 
rative. Between the times of giving the emetics, 
bathe with the bathing drops, or elixir, and botan- 
ic ointment, night and morning. Electrifying 
with Dr. Brown's machine is useful in this case. 



170 

There are several young people in Boston, that 
I have cured in this way, within a few years, who 
have never since been troubled with it. It does 
not generally prove fatal, but often causes parents 
a living trouble for years. I know a girl about 
eighteen years old, who is now without doubt past 
ail cure. She is in continual motion, and almost 
senseless, knowing but little of what is around 
her. Parents are cautioned against giving prepa- 
rations of iron, steel, or any other mineral, as all 
such things instead of removing the difficulty serve 
to increase it. 



DEAFNESS. 

This is commonly caused by cold, either direct- 
ly or indirectly. Sometimes a gathering in the 
ear causes deafness, by so taking away the action, 
that it can never be restored. In some cases 
of deafness, by dropping five or six drops of liquid 
emetic into the ear, once or twice in a day, and 
putting cotton wool into the ear, wet with the 
same, will restore the hearing in one or two 
weeks. 

The most certain cure is, besides this, to give 
several emetics, as here directed. These will 
clear the head of cold, and restore the hearing. — 
If this will not cure, the case is two stubborn to 
be removed. I have cured several in this way, 
when every other course has failed. 



DIARRHCEA. 



The meaning of this is, " a purging without 
much sickness of pain ; succeeded by loss of ap- 
petite ; and sometimes nausea, fever, with weak 
pulse, dry skin, and thirst." This state of the 



171 

bowels in often a benefit, as it carries off what 
might otherwise be an injury. When this loose- 
ness of the bowels causes sickness, take half a 
wine glass of elixir, which will often entirely stop 
it. If this does not cure, take a tea spoonful of 
vegetable powders in hot water, as directed, add- 
ing one tea spoonful of elixir. If this does not re- 
lieve, give an injection, as directed in this book. 
If that fails, give the emetic, No. J, which is a 
sure and quick remedy in all such cases. 



DROPSY. 



Dropsy signifies a swelling of the whole body, 
or some part of it, occasioned by a collection of 
watery humors. According to the common ac- 
ceptation of the word, there are four kinds, or 
rather four parts affected with one disorder. A 
general dropsy, called anasarca, or a collection of 
water under the skin. The asites or collection of 
water in the bowels. The hydrops pectoris, or 
dropsy in the breast. The hydroccpalus, or drop- 
sy in the head. The first, a general dropsy, be- 
gins with a swelling of the feet and ancles towards 
night, which for sometime disappears in the morn- 
ing. In the evening, the feet and legs, if pressed 
with the fiuirer, will pit. This swelling gradually 
ascends, and occupies the trunk of the body, the 
arms and head. After this, follows difficulty of 
breathing, weakness, heaviness, a slow fever and 
troublesome cough, which if not cured, ends in 
death. 

As dropsy means a collection of water, it can on- 
ly be one thintr, and one course of medicine will 
cure in all curable cases. What is called general 
dropsy, is the most easily eured. Dropsy in the 



172 

chest, is difficult to cure ; and in some cases, it is 
incurable, when it is caused by a leak in the sys- 
tem. Dropsy in the bowels and brain, is general- 
ly cured in a short time. 

In all cases of dropsy, the first thing to be done 
is, to clear the stomach and bowels of cold and 
filth, and to open the pores. This must be done 
by a regular course of clysters and emetics ; which 
must be given as often as the state of the disease 
requires -; whether one, two, or three times in a 
week, or more ; which in all curable cases, never 
fails. 

I once attended a woman with the general drop- 
sy, who was much swelled from her head to the 
feet, and was near a state of mortification. The 
first time I attended her with the emetic only. — 
The second time, with that and the injection. — 
Before the injection was given, she was in a con- 
vulsed state, and supposed to be dying. By giv- 
ing the injection, the balance of the system was 
restored ; but her voice was gone for several days, 
so that she could only whisper. 1 gave her the 
same course of medicine eight days successively. 
In four weeks she was well, and went home. 

Another person had the dropsy in the bowels. 
She was attended three times with the regular 
course of medicine, and took several injections be- 
sides, which entirely cured ; and she now enjoys 
good health, and has had no appearance of the dis- 
order for more then two years. 

I attended the widow Baily of Scituate, who, in 
addition to the dropsy, had a slight shock of the 
palsy. She took the vegetable powders about four 
weeks, and with twice attending, was entirely 
cured of the dropsy and palsy. 

A son of Eiisha Tucker, of Boston, about seven 



years old, was much swelled in his bowels, and his 
flesh gone ; and bat little appetite. In the year 
1821, I attended him with the vegetable emetic, 
injections, and steaming, which took down the 
swelling in a few weeks. 

In all cases of dropsy, the person ought to take 
the powders every night, the bitters two or three 
times in a day; and such food as the appetite 
craves, and as the stomach will digest ; and drink 
that which is in harmony with the food and me- 
dicine. 

Dropsy in the womb, as it is called, must be 
treated the same as in any other part of the body. 
There is one general cause of dropsy, and one 
general remedy. 



DYSENTERY, OR BLOODY FLUX. 

This is " a discharge of mucus, blood, and puru- 
lent matter, by stool ; violent gripings, pain in the 
loins, and anus, with fever." It is caused by cold 
and canker in the stomach and bowels. The 
word originally meant pain in the bowels. The 
best method of treating this disorder is, first to 
give the injection mentioned in this work ; next 
the emetic, in a regular course. Afterwards, give 
the vegetable powders, night and morning ; and 
the cordial two or three times in a day. This* 
course of medicine must be followed until a cure 
is made. Injections ought always to be used, to 
prevent pain and mortification in the bowels. 



DISPEPSIA. 



This word means the same as indigestion ; and 
consists in " want of appetite, — nausea, — some- 
times vomiting, — heartburn, — costiveness, — dis- 



174 

tentions of the stomach, particularly upon taking a 
small quantity of food — frequent risings into the 
throat of a sharp acid liquor, and eructations of 
imperfectly digested matter/ 5 

Much is said upon this disease at the present 
time, and much is done, and much to no advan- 
tage, and often to the injury of the patient. Dis- 
pepsie bread has been prepared ; rubbing and 
ironing the surface, pressing, jumping, taking mag- 
nesia, &c. All this has been done, and yet the 
cause not removed. 

The real cause of this disease is a cold and foul 
stomach, and there is no real cure, without cleans- 
ing and warming the stomach, and restoring the 
tone of the system generally. If any kind of ves- 
sel is musty, we know it must first be cleansed be- 
fore it can be used, without injuring whatever is 
put in it. So it is with the stomach. 

There are different stages of this disease, which 
require different treatment. In the first com- 
mencement of it, by taking the hygeian powders, 
elixir and pills, with the health restorative, it may 
be cured in a short time : but when it has been of 
long standing, and the patient has been injured, 
and the cause increased by taking magnesia, opi- 
um, laudanum, mercury, arsenic, and other poi" 
sons, the only sure way of curing is, a regular pro- 
cess of emetic, as described in this work. This 
will infallibly cure, if attended to in season, with 
perseverance until the cause is removed. In some 
cases, one course of emetic, &c. will cure ; but it 
generally takes from one to five times, and in 
some very stubborn cases, more than five times. 
After the stomach is in this way warmed and 
cleansed, the patient ought for some time to take 
the powders, pills, and bitters, as directed in this 



175 

work ; to eat such food as is agreeable to the taste, 
and sits easy in his stomach. He should take ex- 
ercise as is the most useful, whether it be riding, 
walking or doing such labor as shall not cause 
him to overdo. Let all these things be done, be- 
ing for some time careful not to take cold, and he 
may be certain of a cure, and he will soon know 
what it is to eat in pleasure, and not barely from 
necessity. 



EPILEPSY. 

This is what some term falling sickness. The 
symptoms of epilepsy are — a " languid pulse, pale 
countenance ; and afterwards, great pain in the 
head, with stupor and drowsiness sometimes pre- 
ceding a fit ; though it often comes on without these 
previous symptoms. The patient falls down sud- 
denly, gnashes his teeth, froths at his mouth, uses 
many disagreeable gesticulations and distortions ; 
and sometimes discharges involuntarily by stool 
and urine." The cause of this disease is cold, and 
obstructions in different parts of the system, partic- 
ularly in the muscles, or springs of the body. In 
this disease the system is out of balance, the same 
as in the lockjaw. Remove the cold and restore 
the balance, so that every part may bear together, 
and the epilepsy is cured. 

The same thing must be done as in all other 
obstructed cases. Begin by giving the vegetable 
powders, then give the vegetabje emetic as here 
directed. Follow this course as often as needful 
until the whole body is cleared of the cause. In 
this disease, the person ought generally to be at- 
tended two or three times in a week, and some- 
times every other day. I have attended several 
with this complaint, and never knew this mode of 
18 



1*6 

treating it, fail of effecting a cure, when properly 
attended to. 



FEVER, 

There are at this time, according to the writings 
of the learned doctors, a great variety offerers. — - 
The following are among the many : Inflammato- 
ry fever — Intermittant fever — Miliary fever — Milk 
fever — Mixed fever — Puerperal fever — Putrid, or 
Malignant fever — Scarlet fever — Slow, or Nervous 
fever — Worm fever — Brain fever — Rheumatic fe- 
ver — Hectic fever — Typhus fever — Yellow fever 
— Cold fever, &,c. &>c. 

After all said upon fevers, there is but one. — • 
Fever means heat, and in a sick man, it is a dis- 
turbed operation of the natural heat of the body. 
A sick man, who has a high fever, as it is called t 
has no more heat than a well man, if he has so 
much. The cold is in his stomach, which crouds 
the heat to the surface. This is called a fever. — 
When a person has taken a bad cold, he is said 
to be feverish ; and the first thing generally done 
is, to give hot herb drink, to drive the cold from 
the body, that tire heat may turn ; which the doc- 
tors call the turn of the fever. If this does not an- 
swer, the doctor is sent for, to prevent a fever, or 
throw it off as they term it. The usual method is, 
first to bleed, then give the calomel and jalup. — 
Taking away the blood lessens the heat, and the 
calomel increases the cold ; and a settled fever 
follows. Then the fever must have its course, 
or the person must have a run of fever, as it is 
called, 

Dr. Buchan says, that a fever is only an effort of 
nature to free herself from an offending cause. — 
His words are the following : — page 158. " As 



J 77 

fever is only an effort of nature to free herself 
from an offending cause, it is the business of those 
who have the care of the sick, to observe with dili- 
gence which way nature points, and to endeavor 
to assist her operations. Our bodies are so fram- 
ed, as to have a constant tendency to expel or 
throw off whatever is injurious to health. This is 
generally done by urine, sweat, stool, expectora- 
tion, vomit, or some other evacuation. 

There is reason to believe, if the efforts of na- 
ture, at the beginning of a fever, were duly attend- 
ed to and promoted, it would seldom continue 
long ; but when her attempts are either neglected 
or counteracted, it is no wonder if the disease 
proves fatal. There are daily instances of persons 
who, after taking cold, have all the symptoms of a 
beginning fever ; but by keeping warm, drinking 
diluting liquors, bathing their feet in warm water, 
&c. the symptoms in a few hours disappear, and 
the danger is prevented. " 

This quotation contains more truth respecting 
fever, than many volumes which have been written 
on the subject.. We have now only to find what 
nature is, and how to assist it. Hypocrates says, 
" Nature is ?ieat." " Natura dure" — nature leads. 
How does it operate 1 To throw off the bad, and 
retain the good. To bleed, blister, or give cold 
things, such as all minerals are, is to counteract 
and not to assist nature. Let whatever may be 
the name of the fever, the first thing to be done is, 
to increase the heat, and throw off what has caus- 
ed the sickness or fever. 

In the first of common fevers the hygeian com- 
pound, pills and elixir, given a few times at night, 
and in the morning, and two or three times in a 
day, will answer, without any thing else. If a per- 



178 

son has been several days without any relief, the 
certain way to cure is, to give the vegetable emet- 
ic to clear the stomach and bowels. This will 
generally open the pores, by which the cause will 
be removed. I have in many instances, when 
the person was confined to his bed, by one course 
of medicine relieved him so as to be out in a few 
days. 

When a person has been confined many days, 
been bled, blistered, taken physic, taken opium, 
calomel, nitre, <$*c. it takes much more medicine 
to cure, and a longer time. 

It is common to take a week or more, to cure 
in such cases. The typhus fever, as it is called, 
commonly affects the head, as it is caused by cold, 
or an obstruction in the brain. It is a fashiona- 
ble thing in such cases, to shave the head and 
blister it. This is a very dangerous practice, as 
it raises the heat upon the outside, drive the cold 
to the brain, and so far as I have been acquainted, 
generally brings on delirium and death. 

What is called the yellow fever, generally pre- 
vails in hot weather ; and the spotted fever in cold 
weather. In the summer, the heat upon the sur- 
face, is too great for the heat of the blood ; which 
causes it to putrify. In the winter, the cold upou 
the surface, is too great for the heat of the blood, 
which is chilled, and becomes spotted ; and peo- 
ple in this case have died in a short time after be- 
ing taken sick. The same cause will cure either. 
Raise the heat in the man above the heat on the 
outside, and he may be cured. Raise the heat 
above the power of the cold, and the disease is re- 
moved. 

We all know that a hearty well man who can 
endure much cold can endure much heat. The 



179 

course to be taken in any kind of fever (accord- 
ing to the different names) ought to be pursued 
until the cold, filth, and obstructions in the body, 
are wholly removed ; then the person is well. In 
fever, the restorative and pills, ought to be used, 
and such nourishment for food or drink as the ap- 
petite craves. 



FEVER AND AGUE. 

This disease is generally caused by effluvia 
from putrid stagnating water. This is evident 
from their abounding in rainy seasons, and being 
most frequent in low marshy countries, as in Hol- 
land, the low fresh meadow lands in the middle 
and Southern States, and around the lakes in 
New York. 

I find that Dr. Buchan thought an emetic good 
in this disease. He says, (page 166) " The first 
thing to be done in the cure, is to cleanse the 
stomach and bowels. This not only renders the 
application of other medicines more safe, but like- 
wise more efficacious. In this disease, the stom- 
ach is generally loaded with cold visced phlegm, 
and frequently great quantities of bile are dis- 
charged by vomit, which plainly points out the 
necessity of such evacuations. Vomits are there- 
fore to be administered before the patient takes 
any other medicines." 

The safe and certain way to cure this disease, 
is to give first an emetic, the same as in any other 
case of cold and obstructions. Do this once in 
three or four days, until the cause is removed ; 
giving between the times the powders, pills, bit- 
ters, &c. I have several times removed the com- 
plaint by once attending the sick. Four or five 
times has always been sufficient. 
18* 



180 

FLUOR ALB US, OR WHITES. 

The following is its appearance — "a flux of thin 
matter from the vagina, of a transparent or white 
color, sometimes tinctured with yellow or green ; 
sometimes it is sharp and corroding, with a foetid 
smell, especially when of long continuance. , ' — 
This disease is caused by cold, which produces 
weakness in the parts affected. Where this has 
not been of long standing, the hygeian compound, 
and elixir, taken night aad morning for sometime, 
with a wine glass of the restorative, two or three 
times in a day, will generally cure in the course 
of two or three weeks. If the person has long 
been in this case, the only certain cure is to go 
through a regular course of medicine, two or three 
times in a week, until the cause is removed. They 
ought between the times, to take the powders, pills 
and restorative, and eat such food as the appetite 
craves ; avoiding hard labor, extremes in heat and 
cold, night air, damp clothes, and wet feet. 



GOUT. 



The word arthritis , the gout, is from a Greek 
word, which signifies & joint ; because in this dis- 
ease, the joint or joints are affected. " It chiefly 
affects the membranes, tendons, and ligaments ; 
the pain is like that of a dislocated bone, with a 
sensation as if warm water were poured on the 
part, succeeded by dullness and slight fever, a 
breathing sweat comes at the end of the fit, and 
the part swells, &c. 

The gout is caused by cold in the joints, and 
the parts affected. A cure must be performed by 
removing the cold from the whole system ; the 
same as in the rheumatism. [See Rheamutism.] 



J 81 



HEADACH. 

There are a variety of causes for the headaeh ; 
but whatever obstructs the free circulation of blood 
through the vessels of the head, may cause the 
headaeh. In a common or slight headaeh, it may 
be cured in a few minutes, by wetting the top of the 
head with the vegetable elixir, and snuffing some 
of it up the nose. When the headaeh is caused 
by a foul stomach, it must be cleared by taking 
the vegetable emetics, which will thoroughly remove 
the cause and then the effect must cease. 



HEART-BURN. 

This is an imaginary disease ; no such thing as 
the heart-burn, ever took place. This disagreea- 
ble sensation is always in the Stomach. Should 
it be called the stomach-burn, it would be more 
proper, though less fashionable. Elliot says, "the 
common heart-burn, proceeding from acidity, irri- 
tating the upper orifice of the stomach, is removed 
for the time, by magnesia, &,c." Buchan says, 
(page 462) " what is commonly called the heart- 
burn, is not a disease of that organ, but an uneasy 
sensation of the heat or acrimony about the pit of 
the stomach ; which is sometimes attended with 
anxiety, nausea and vomiting." 

There are in the stomach of an healthy person, 
three things which make the foment, and which 
prepares the food for digestion — heat, sour and 
bitter. When these three are in harmony, or in 
an equal balance, the stomach is easy ; but when 
there is a lack of heat and bitter, the sour is the 
highest : this causes the burning in the stomach, 
or what is improperly called heart-burn. The cer- 
tain cure for this complaint is, to cleanse the stom- 
ach, by the vegetable emetic^ and afterwards take 



1*2 

the Restorative, which will hring the stomach to 
its natural tone, and will end the heart-burn, as it 
is very improperly called. 

If the complaint is not very bad, a little pearl- 
ash, dissolved in warm water and swallowed, will 
relieve. Sometimes eating peachmeats will re- 
lieve; but in the worst cases, the emetic is safe 
and sure. 



HICCOUGH, OR HICCUP. 

This "is a spasmodic, or convulsive affection of 
the stomach and midriff, arising from any cause 
that irritates their nervous fibres." 

Sometimes holding the breath will stop it ; hold- 
ing the pulse will sometimes relieve, or giving a 
sudden shock. A swallow of the elixir is gener- 
ally a certain cure. In giving a course of the 
vegetable emetic, it is a common thing to have the 
hiccup; but it never continues long. 



HYDROPHOBIA. 

This long word simply means the fear or dread 
of water. It now means canine madness. It is 
called hydrophobia, because people that are bitten 
with a mad dog, dread the sight or falling of wa- 
ter, when they are first seized with the madness. 
It is a kind of spasm. 

The following description of a mad dog, and a 
person bitten, is from Elliot's medical pocket-book, 
and is worthy of a place here. 

"It is of more consequence here to describe the 
symptoms in the dog than those of the patient. 
We may know the dog to be mad by his dull, 
heavy look ; endeavoring to hide himself; seldom 
or never barking ; being angry and snarling at 



183 

strangers, but fawning on his owners; refusing all 
food, drooping, hanging down his ears and tail, 
and often lying down as if going to sleep. This is 
the first stage. He next begins to breathe quick 
and heavy, shoots out his tongue, slavers, and froths 
at the mouth ; looks half asleep ; flies suddenly at 
by-standers ; and runs forward in a curve line. — 
At length he knows not his owner, his eyes be- 
come thick and dim, and water runs from them ; 
his tongue is of a red color ; he grows weak and 
faint ; often falls down, then rises, and attempts to 
fly at something ; and grows mad and furious. — 
The nearer to this state, the more dangerous the 
bite. 

81 If the state of the dog cannot be obtained, he 
may be known to have been mad, or the disorder 
may be known to be this by the following effects, 
which will come on sooner or later. The bitten 
part begins to be painful, wandering pains come 
on gradually, with heaviness and uneasiness ; the 
patient has disturbed sleep, frightful dreams, start- 
ings, spasms, sighing, anxiety, and loves solitude ; 
pains shoot from the bitten part up to the throat, 
with straitness, sensation of choaking, and horror 
or dread at the sight of water, or other liquids, 
which is a sufficient characteristic of the disease." 

Manner of Cure. The infection from a mad 
dog, is generally diffused through the whole system 
of one bitten. In its operation the whole body is 
disordered, particularly the muscles. The sure 
remedy is, the clyster and vegetable emetic. If it 
is taken soon after being bitten, this medicine will 
drive all the infection from the body ; so that there 
will be no more trouble about it. This course 
must be followed, until the infection is all removed. 

If a person bitten by a mad dog, feels any of 



181 

the above mentioned symptoms, he should take the 
emetic immediately, and continue taking it, one, 
two, three, or four times in a week, until he is 
wholly relieved. 



HYSTERIA, OR HYSTERICS. 

Hysteria, or Hysterics, is from a Greek word 
which signifies the womb. It is an inflammation 
of the womb, or a kind of spasm, originating from 
that inflammation. It is not common for one to 
be without the other. It is known by a grumbling 
noise in the bowels. It seems to the person affec- 
ted, that a ball is ascending to the throat, with a 
sense of suffocation, &-c. This is a real disorder, 
which in general is not much understood. 

When there is but little inflammation in the part 
affected, the hygeian powders and panacea pills, 
with a teaspoonful of American valerian, taken 
every night, with a clyster made of motherwort, 
and a teaspoonful of cayenne boiled with it : and 
given at night— a few times will cure ; but if the 
disorder is very bad, causing fits, cramps, convul- 
sions, foe. a regular course of emetics must be tak- 
en and followed until the cause is wholly removed. 
From one to five times is generally enough to 
make a certain cure. 



JAUNDICE. 

The true meaning of Jaundice, is an obstruc- 
tion of the bile or what is contained in the gall 
bladder. The simple account of the jaundice is 
this : — The gall bladder grows on the under side 
of the liver, which lies on the stomach. By rea- 
son of a foul and cold stomach, the liver becomes 
cold, and the neck of the gall bladder, also. This 



196 

cold swells the neck of the gall bladder, and pre- 
vents the gall from passing off into the bowels. — 
As it cannot pass off freely, it flows back, and ap- 
pears in the white of the eyes, then in the face; 
and often over the whole body. This bile goes 
with the blood, and is carried through the whole 
system. In its worst state, it is called the black 
jaundice; which ends in mortification and death. 

The manner of curing this complaint is, to re- 
move the cause, which is to clear the stomach of 
the cold and filth ; remove the obstruction from 
the gall bladder, clear the whole system, and take 
off the yellow from the skin. When this is done, 
the jaundice is cured. — When there is but little 
cold and foulness in the stomach, and the obstruc- 
tion small, taking the hygeian compound and pills, 
night and morning, for a few days, will generally 
cure. 

When the obstruction is great, the only sure 
way of relief is to take the vegetable emetic, No. 1 ; 
and the injection once in two, three, or four days, 
until the cause is removed ; taking between the 
times, the hygeian powders and restorative with 
the pills, two or three times in a day ; and eating 
such food as the stomach will digest. 



ITCH. 



This is an uncomfortable, dishonorable attend- 
ant of many high spirited people ; though not gen- 
erally dangerous, unless rendered so by neglect, or 
improper treatment. Many have been ruined by 
applying minerals to the surface. Dr. Buchan 
gives the following description of mercurial prepa- 
rations. Page 448. " Much mischief is likewise 
done by the use of mercury in this disease. Some 
persons are so fool hardy as to wash the parts afc 



186 

fected with a strong solution of the corrosive subli- 
mate. Others use the mercui ial ointment, without 
taking the least care either to avoid cold, keep the 
body open ; or observe a proper regimen. " It is not 
to be told what mischief is done by using mercu- 
rial ointment for curing the itch. 4< People ought 
to be extremely cautious, lest they take other erup- 
tions for the itch. Many of the irruptive disor- 
ders to which children are liable, have a near re- 
semblance to this disease. I have often known 
infants killed by being rubbed with greasy oint- 
ments, that made these eruptions strike suddenly 
in, which nature had thrown out to preserve the 
patient's life, or prevent some other malady." 

The only certain and safe remedy I have found, 
is the following : — -take the hygeian compound and 
pills, as directed every night and morning, and 
use the iC itch ointment" mentioned in this work. 
Bathe the parts affected, night and morning by 
the fire, or in bed. Continue this application un- 
til a cure is performed, which is commonly within 
one week. There is no need of changing the 
clothes. The ointment which cures the itch, will 
cleanse the clothes ; and there is no bad smell, 
nor danger of taking cold, as they keep up the in- 
ward heat, while the ointment kills what the pow- 
ders drive to the surface of the body. — This is 
equally safe for young or old, the weak or strong. 
If young children cannot take the powders, give 
them the tea poured off from the powders. 



LIVER INFLAMED. 

Much is said at this time of the liver complaint ; 
and I believe but little understood. — An inflamma- 
tion of the liver, kidneys, throat, stomach, bowels, 



187 

limbs, &,c. is always caused by cold. Remove 
this, and an inflammation is at an end. 

When the liver is inflamed, raise the heat in 
the stomach, which is a near neighbor to the liv- 
er ; the emetic will do this, and take the cold from 
the liver ; and then all will be well. 



LOCK JAW. 

This is what is called spasm. Elliot gives the 
following description of it. " A rigid contraction 
of the muscles, which raise the lower jaw, whence 
the jaws continue violently closed with great pain." 
Hooper says— " Locked jaw or Trismus, a species 
of Tetanus" In describing tetanus, he says — 
" Tetanus, (from a Greek word) which signifies 
to stretch, spasm with rigidity. A genus of dis- 
ease in the class neuroses, and order spasmi of 
Cullen; characterised by a spasmodic rigidity of 
almost trie whole body." 

Elliot's description is correct : — " a rigid con- 
traction of the muscles, which raise the lower jaw." 
It is simply the want of balance in the whole 
system. 

Whatever will relax the system, and bring all 
the muscles to regular balance, is the cure for this 
alarming disease. In slight cases of the locked 
jaw, the Vegetable Elixir, swallowed, and rubbed 
on the parts affected, will remove the spasm. In 
violent cases, the vegetable emetic, No. 2, must 
be given in the following manner : — Take about 
half a wine glass full of Liquid Emetic, put it into 
the mouth, if it can be put between the teeth ; if 
not, put it in a phial, and put the phial between 
the cheek and gumb, and press it with the fingers 
back of all the teeth. Soon after the emetic 
touches the roots of the tongue, the mouth will 
19 



tm 

open without any force. Tn the course of from 
fifteen to twenty-five minutes more, give nearly- a 
wine glass of the same This will generally slack 
the whole system, and the person will appear as 
though his strength was all gone. In the course 
of half an hour, give a teaspoon ful of the vegetable 
powders, in a tea cup full of pennyroal tea. — All 
this will cause the person to vomit, which will re- 
lieve. Give such drink as the person calls for, 
whether herb drink, cider, or gruel. 

Should the spasms return, give the regular 
course of emetic and injection, once in two or three 
days, until the cause is wholly removed. I have 
had several cases of this kind, and have always 
cured them in this way. There is no risk in this 
medicine ; and it is certain to relieve. 



MEASLES. 



The original word is reubola from rubio, to be- 
come red. Elliot gives this account of the meas- 
les: — "Symptoms, — chillness, shivering, pain in 
the head, fever, sickness, and sometimes vomiting ; 
cough, heaviness of the eyes, with swelling, inflam- 
mation, and discharge of a watery humour from 
them ; and also from the nostrils. The third or 
fourth day, an irruption like flea-bites appears in 
face, neck, and breast ; and soon after in the body 
and limbs; it rises above the skin, but does not 
supperate. The fever and other symptoms do not 
as in the small pox, abate on the appearance of 
the eruption, which continues about three days, 
then dies away, the skin pealing off ; but the 
other symptoms remain, and even increase, espe- 
cially the cough, which is also attended in gener- 
al with difficulty of breathing, and oppression of 
the breast" 



180 

This is a correct description of the measles ; 
and it is evident from this description, that they 
are caused by cold, and must be cured by its op- 
posite, heat. 

In common cases of measles, a strong tea of 
saffron, shake root, mayweed, yarrow, or penny- 
royal is sufficient; in addition to keeping the chil- 
dren comfortably warm, by staying in the house, 
&,c. In worse cases, a tea made of the vegetable 
powders will cure, by raising the inward heat, and 
driving the cold to the surface. In the worst cases 
the vegetable emetic, No. 3, must be given in a 
tea made of hemlock bark, red raspberry leaves, 
sumac berries, or hazle leaves. Either of them 
will answer. An injection of the tea should be 
given at the same time. 

In the year 1821, the measles raged in Boston 
generally, and it was said not far from five hun- 
dred children died. One doctor gave a child 
two table spoonsful of strong tobacco lea, and an- 
other four or five. Both children died in a short 
time. I attended two or three children in the 
same family in the way mentioned here ; and they 
all recovered. My own child, four years old, was 
violently seized, having all the symptoms of the 
worst kind. 1 gave her the injection and emetic, 
which relieved her in a few days. In a short time 
after being cured of the measles, she became very 
deaf, so as scarely to hear at all. I gave her 
the same course of emetic again, which took away 
the remaining cold that had caused the measles, 
and deafness. She now enjoys good health, and 
has no deafness at ail. I attended several chil- 
dren, and all recovered, excepting the one who 
had taken four or jive table spoonsful of tobacco 
tea. I doubt whether there is a well child in Bos- 



190 

ton, that could live after taking so much tobacco 
tea. But the doctor ordered it, and they never 
have the name of killing children. The Lord 
takes them away ; and it is said he has a right to 
his own, — even if he takes them with tobacco tea. 



MENSES OBSTRUCTED, &/C. 

This word is from cata menia ; and this from 
two Greek words, which signify " according to the 
month" It is what takes place in alL healthy fe- 
males, from the age of fourteen years to fifty. Fe- 
males from infancy to fourteen years, generally 
differ but little from males as to health ; and fe- 
males from fifty and onward, are generally as 
healthy as men, and can often endure more hard 
1 abor. 

In this operation of nature, there is something 
wonderful. It is caused by a redundency of blood, 
which in healthy women, passes off regularly. In 
a state of pregnancy, it nourishes the child. Af- 
ter the birth, it turns to milk, and supports the 
child from the breast ; when the child is weaned, 
it again passes off in the natural way. At the age 
of forty-five or fifty, as the person looses heat by 
age, this redundency of blood fails, and the female 
generally enjoys good health without it ; which 
cannot be from fourteen to fifty. 

In the first stages of this, mothers ought to be 
careful of their daughters, that they do not take 
cold, which often lays a foundation for them to be 
unwell through life. 

In common obstructions of this kind, a strong 
tea of motherwort, or thoroughwort, will relieve. 
If this fails, the hygeian compound and pills must 
be taken, as directed in other cases. When these 



m 

fail, the injection and emetic must be given the 
same as in other obstructed cases. It must be 
continued until the cause is wholly removed. Of- 
ten times the bowels will be much swelled ; this 
course will remove swelling and all other attend- 
ant difficulties. Sometimes there is not a stoppage, 
but it is irregular, too often, or not often enough ; 
too much or not enough. The emetic, &c. with 
the restorative will, if attended to thoroughly, and 
in season, bring every part as it ought to be. 



SORE NIPPLES. 



Make a strong tea of the bark of the root of 
bayberry, and wash them with it several times in 
a day. 



PALPITATION OF THE HEART. 

Dr. Hooper gives the following description of 
this disease. " Palpitatio. Palpitation of the 
heart, which is either constant or frequently re- 
turning. A genus of disease in the class neuroses; 
(nervous disease) and order spasmiot Cullen. In 
pletoric habits, repeated venesection ; for bleed- 
ing in debilitated, cinchona and iron ; in bilious 
ones, lemon juice. Musk, volatile alkali, asafceti- 
da, blisters." Dr. Elliot, without explaining the 
nature of the disease, gives the following direction 
for cure. " In proper constitutions, bleed repeat- 
edly ; but where the disorder proceeds from re- 
laxation, the bark and corroberants. Nervous me- 
dicines, musk, volatile salts, &c. are good ; as are 
also blisters. In billious habits, it is frequently 
removed by pure lemon juice." 

From all this, who knows what is meant by the 
19* 



192 

palpitation of the heart ? It is a nervous com- 
plaint, and of the order spasmi, a kind of spasm. 
There is some cause for this disorder. When a 
person runs, is affrighted, asleep, or awake, he has 
a palpitation of the heart. If an increased circu- 
lation of the blood brings on a temporary palpita- 
tion ; whatever lessons the passage of the blood, 
must cause the same. A cold in the nose, swells, 
and lessens the passage of the air. A cold in the 
veins, arteries, <SLc. lessens the passage of the blood 
through the heart ; of course the blood, by being 
partially obstructed, presses the harder ; this caus- 
es the palpitation, or beating. Place a large stone 
in a small smooth stream, and it will cause a pal- 
pitation of the water ; remove the stone, and the 
palpitation is done. So in the man ; remove the 
cold, and the palpitation is cured. To do this, 
clear the whole man from obstructions, and this 
difficulty is cured. A regular course of clysters, 
emetic, &c. as in other obstructed cases, will cure, 
unless the person is too far gone. In a great ma- 
ny cases, I have found this method a certain cure 
for this disease. The powders, bitters, &,c. should 
be given between the times of giving the emetic ; 
the same as in other obstructed cases.. 



PALSY, OR PARALYSIS. 

This is *-* a loss or diminution of the motion or 
feeling, or both, of some part or parts of the body." 
The word palsy or hemiplegia or palsy on one 
side, is from two Greek words, which mean half 
and to strike, because it takes one side ; and 
therefore the common saying, " the person is 
struck with the palsy." The word paralysis, is 
from the Greek word, which means " to loose ; as 



193 

it is " al oss of tne power of voluntary motion, af- 
fecting certain parts." 

There are two kinds of palsy. One affects the 
nerves, the other the muscles. The first is com- 
monly called the numb palsy, the other, the shak- 
ing palsy. The first is caused by an obstruction 
in the nervous system ; and the other by an ob- 
struction in the mucles, which takes away the na- 
tural balance. 

Buchan says, u The immediate cause of palsy, 
is any thing that prevents the regular exertion of 
the nervous power upon any particular muscle or 
part of the body. The palsy may likewise pro* 
ceed from wounds themselves ; from the poisonous 
fumes of metals or minerals, as mercury, lead, ar- 
senic. 

The cure of the palsy must be by that which 
will remove the cause, restore the nervous system, 
and bring the muscles to their natural action, or 
tone. There are cases of palsy, of both kinds, 
which are incurable ; particularly when it attacks 
old people, and such as have taken mercury, lead 
and arsenic for medicine. 

T have attended several within a few years, and 
cured them entirely. My method is, first to give 
them the hygeian powders and pills for a few days; 
then give them the emetic, and its attendant, once 
in three, four or five days. Also bathe the parts 
affected with bathing drops and botanic ointment. 
This course will cure, unless in desperate cases. 



PHRENSY, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 

This is caused by too much water and cold in 
the brain, which obstructs, or prevents the natural 
action of that part. To cure this, raise the heat 



194 

by the vegetable emetic, &c. the same as in any 
©ther obstruction : this will throw off the water 
and cold, restore the balance, and bring the brains 
to the natural state, and all will be well. 



PILES. 

Dr. Hooper says, the word piles is from a Greek 
word, which means €< Jlux of blood" " They are 
known by a discharge of blood with the feces, at- 
tended with pain in the rectum, loins, and head ; 
and by the presence of enlarged veins, which are 
the piles." Dr. Elliot says, <; piles" are " pain- 
ful tumours in the anus and rectum." Dr. Bu- 
chan says, " a discharge of blood from the hoe- 
morrhoidal vessels, is called bleeding piles. — 
When the vessels only swell, and discharge no 
blood, but are exceeding painful, the disease is 
called the blind piles." 

The amount of all this is, there are two difficul- 
ties in, or near the same part ; which are called 
by the same name. One is known by the pain it 
causes, and the other by a discharge of blood, &c. 

What Buchan calls blind piles, is a distressing 
complaint ; as the rectum is filled with tumours, 
or hard bunches, the same as tumours in the throat. 
The first is in the inlet of the stomach, the other 
at the outlet of the bowels. 

The bleeding and blind piles are both caused 
by cold and canker. The piles are by the doctors 
considered incurable ; that is, they do not know 
how to cure them. In some cases, they have giv- 
en what they call medicine, until the passage was 
wholly obstructed, and they made an artificial pas- 
sage, which answered but a short time. The 
man died. 



195 

In Dec. 1820, a man in Boston, by the name 
of William Greene, was sorely afflicted with the 
blind piles, which troubled him in the winter for 
twelve or thirteen years. He had applied to sev- 
eral doctors, but obtained no cure. In this last 
attack, his doctor, after attending him a while, 
told him there was no cure for him. On a cer- 
tain day, being greatly distressed, he sent for me. 
He was in the most painful state I ever saw one 
with that disorder. I told him my manner of 
treating that disease, and that I believed he might 
be cured. He went immediately to bed, and I 
gave* him the injection and vegetable emetic, in 
the usual way. Between the times of attending 
him with the emetic, I gave him several injections, 
prepared without the emetic in them. I gave him 
the emetic three times in the course of a few 
weeks, and the injections seven or eight times, 
with the powders at night, and the bitters three 
times in a day. This course wholly cured him ; 
and at this time, (1832) he is entirely free from 
the piles ; and says he has not enjoyed so good 
health for thirteen or fourteen years, as he now 
enjoys. 

In cases of bleeding piles, when there is a sore- 
ness of the skin, it should be frequently washed 
with strong tea, made of hemlock bark ; the bark 
of the root of bay berry, or sumac leaves or berries, 
or the roots of pond lillies. 

PIMPLES. 

Wash them with a tea made of bayberry root, 
or sumac berries, or the vegetable elixir. If they 
are not very bad, this will cure. Where they pro- 
ceed from cold and canker in the body, the only 
certain cure is, to clear the whole system with an 



196 

emetic, &c. this will remove the cause, and often 
prevent something worse than pimples. 

PLEURISY. 

This means an inflammation of the plurea. — 
u The term pleurisy, is an inflammation of that 
membrane, called the plurea, which lines the in- 
side of the breast. It is commonly called pleurisy 
fever; and begins with shivering, cold, &,c. It 
is attended with pain in the side, raising blood, 
&c. It ought to be treated the same as a fever 
of any other name. [Sec fever.] 

It is common to bleed in the pleurisy, but this 
is wrong : this relieves the pain without removing 
the cause. Raise the heat and throw off the cold 
and filth with the emetic ; then the cause will b« 
removed, and the pain will not return. 



POISON. 



Poison is but one thing : though it may be done 
by animals, vegetables, or minerals. Poison is 
"any substance which proves destructive to the 
life of animals, in a small quantity ; either taken 
by the mouth, mixed with the blood, or applied 
to the nerve." Mineral poison is mercury, cor- 
rosive sublimate of mercury, arsenic, antimony, 
nitre, or salt petre, vitriol, &c. Vegetable poison 
is poppy, or opium, garden hemlock, henbane, 
berries of deadly nightshade, &c. Animal poi- 
son is the bite or sting, which conveys the poison 
through a wound. 

The cure for poison is the vegetable emetic, 
when the poison is taken into the stomach. If it 
is taken in through the pores, by poisonous oint- 
M^ntSj or by the bite of an animal, or sting of an 



m 

insect, the whole system must be cleansed, the 
same as in the hydrophobia. 

I was once called to a young man who had 
swallowed an ounce of laudanum, with the design 
of killing himself. Soon after he took it, he fell, 
and remained senseless. By administering the 
emetic, which was crowded to the back part of 
his teeth ; when it reached the roots of his tongue, 
his mouth was opened. More was given after- 
wards ; and in the course of one hour, the lauda- 
num was all taken away, and he was no more 
troubled with it. Nitre, or salt petre is the worst 
of all mineral poison, as it is the most difficult to 
remove, being so uncommonly cold and dead. 



CHICKEN POX, OR SWINE POX. 

The symptoms of this are, "ehillness, heat, and 
the usual precursory symptoms of fever ; but mild- 
er than in the small pox. The eruptions appear 
about the third day. They rise like those of the 
small pox, but may be known from them by the 
matter being more like water than pus ; by little 
vescicles or bladders, filled with water on the top 
of such pustules as are whole ; and by their turn- 
ing about the fifth day ; which the others do not 
till at least the seventh. The swine pox is only a 
larger kind o^ chicken pox." 

This should be treated the same as the measles. 

[Sec Measles.] 



QUINSY. 

This is an inflammation of the throat, caused 
by cold. It is attended u with pain, great heat, tu- 
mors, redness, difficulty in swallowing and breath- 
ing and fever ; the covala sometimes relaxed and 
inflamed ; the face red." The quinsy, croup, and 



108 

mumps, differ but little from each other, except- 
ing in the name ; what will cure one, will cure 
the others. It is simply a cold and swelling in the 
parts of the neck ; and must be removed by the 
opposite of cold — heat. 

In common cases of the quinsy, croup, &c. the 
first thing to be done is, to raise the heat, by giv- 
ing warm teas, such as pennyroyal, peppermint, 
&c. It is also good to wet flannel in vinegar, 
with cayenne, or pepper sauce, and put it round 
the neck. 

If this does not answer, the emetic, No. 3, 
must be given for children ; and the injection to 
raise the heat, and take away the inflammation 
from the throat. Cayenne tea must be given to 
moisten the throat, and take away the canker. 

In the year 1818, my youngest child, four 
months old, was violently seized with the quinsy, 
so that no one expected her life ; and we even 
laid her down to die. The method pursued then, 
as the last thing was, to put a feather down her 
throat, wet with canker tea, to remove the canker. 
Next a strong tea of cayenne was made and pour- 
ed down her throat, a teaspoonful at a time. Next 
we gave her the emetic, and steamed her, which 
overcame the disorder ; and in one week from 
that time, though only four months old, we carried 
her almost forty miles in one day. She has never 
since been troubled with it, and now enjoys good 
health. 



RHEUMATISM. 

The doctors tell us of acute rheumatism, chro- 
nic rheumatism, inflammatory rheumatism, and 
rheumatic fever ; rheumatism in the head, breast, 
stomach, bowels, &c. &c. The greater part of 



199 

what they say, and do, proves that they are al- 
most entirely ignorant of the nature of it, or at 
least of the medicine that will cure. 

The word rheumatism is so called, from its 
being formerly used in the same sense as rheuma, 
to flow. The discharge from the nostrils or lungs, 
arising from cold. "In the present day, the mean- 
ing of the word is applied to a genus of disease 
in the class pyrexia ; and order phlegmasia, of 
Cullen ; characterised by pyrexia ; pain in the 
joints, and heat on the part," &c. 

After all said upon the different kinds of rheu- 
matism, it is a cold in the joints, muscles, and dif- 
ferent parts of the system. 

The certain cure for the rheumatism is the fol- 
lowing : In cases where it chiefly affects the back, 
or some of the limbs, taking the hygeian powders, 
or bathing the pained part with the elixir and bo- 
tanic ointment, will generally relieve in a few 
days. When the stomach is foul, the joints stiff, 
the cords tightened, and the muscles have lost 
their action, the only remedy is to give the injec- 
tion and emetic first. Afterwards anoint the stif- 
fened parts with the botanic ointment ; and in the 
morning, bathe all the affected parts with bathing 
drops, and botanic ointment, night and morning. 
Persue this course one, two or three times in a 
week, until the cause is wholly removed, and the 
person will be well. 

In the year 1822, I had more cases of rheuma- 
tism, that in three years before. Almost every 
one I attended are now well, and able to attend to 
their business ; and were cured according to the 
above directions, 

RICKETS. 

The word rickets, is from a Greek word which 
20 



200 

signifies the " back bone." To us, it would sound 
very uncouth, to say the child has the back bone, 
as very few are without one. It is likely the an- 
cients meant a disease which affected the back 
bone, causing it to grow out of its natural shape. 

The symptoms of rickets are the following : — 
" The head is large ; the fontanels keep longer 
open ; the face full and florid, the teeth produced 
with difficulty, dark, irregular, and apt to decay ; 
the joints knotty, and the bones protuberent, 
causing incurvation and distortion ; the ribs pro- 
tuberate, and become crooked ; the belly swells ; 
cough and pulmonary disorders succeed. The 
disease usually appears about the eighth month, 
and continues till the sixth year ; the child moves 
weakly, and waddles ; the understanding is very 
clear." 

The real cause of this disorder, is an obstruc- 
tion below the arms, by which the nourishment 
of the food is prevented from being distributed 
through the whole body. By this means, the 
chest and head, get more than belongs to them ; 
and the other parts not so much. This causes 
such an uncommon shape, and is the reason of 
the large head, and small legs, arms, &/C. of the 
child. 

The cure in this case is, to remove the obstruc- 
tions, that every part of the body may receive its 
part of the food, and grow all in harmony. The 
vegetable emetic, &,c. given in season, will remove 
the obstructions, and restore the natural balance 
of the system. Parents ought to be careful to at- 
tend to this disease in the first stages of it ; as it 
will not only prevent deformity, but even death in 
the family. Children ought not to be kept too still 
when young, nor suffered to go long wet, which 
often brings on the rickets. 



201 

ring worms — See Tetters. 



SCALDS, OR BURNS. 

In the first instance of a scald or burn, before 
it is blistered, wet a cloth with cold water, and 
wrap it around ; if it is on the arm or feet, let 
the cloth that is on, (if there is any) or the stock- 
ings remain, and wet them ; adding a wet cloth 
over them. Whenever the smart is felt, wet it a- 
gain ; and continue to wet it when it smarts, un- 
til it is easy. In the time of wetting it, take a 
dose of the vegetable powders, to keep up the in- 
ward heat. 

When there is a blister, or it has broken ; or 
when the scald or burn is large, a poultice must 
be made of elm, and wet with a tea made of red 
raspberry leaves, and put on. When the poultice 
becomes dry, wet it with the tea. Change the 
poultice once in twenty-four hours ; continue it, 
until it discharges ; then apply the salve, until it 
is cured. When there is an appearance of a fe- 
ver, the emetic must be given ; this will keep up 
the inward heat, prevents the severe pain, and a 
fever, and cause a discharge, which will remove 
the canker, and prepare the sore for healing. 

See Poultice. 



SCROPHOLA, OR KING S EVIL. 

The word " scrophola struma, the king's evil, 
is from scrophula, a swine, because this animal is 
said to be subject to a similar disorder. It is well 
known by swelled lymphatic glands ; thick upper 
lip ; obstinate ulcers ; redness of the margin of the 
tarsus ; indolent tumors- on the joints ; fair com- 
plexion ; and an irritable habit." 



202 

" The first appearance of this difficulty is com- 
monly about the neck, under the chin, or behind 
the ears. Small knots or bunches are seen, which 
gradually increase in number and size, until they 
form one large hard tumour. This often contin- 
ues for a long time without breaking ; and when 
it does break, it only discharges a thin watery hu- 
mour." Sometimes the scrophula attacks the 
arm pits, groins, feet, hands, eyes and breast. — 
Sometimes the lungs, liver, and spleen, or melt. 
In whatever form it appears, it is nothing more 
nor less than canker ; caused by an obstruction 
in the glands. 

The only sure and speedy cure of this is, to clear 
the whole system by a regular course of medicine, 
as in other obstructed cases. When the sores or 
bunches discharge, they should be washed in a 
tea made of hemlock bark, raspberry leaves, or 
pond lilly roots. If they are much swelled and 
painful, a poultice of pounded cracker and elm 
should be made, and moistened with a strong tea 
made of raspberry leaves. When the soar is clear- 
ed of canker, apply salve untilit is healed. 



SCURVY. 



Dr. Elliot gives the following as the symptoms 
of the scurvy : — " Heaviness, lassitude, low spi- 
rits, offensive breath, tender gums, sallow bloated 
countenance, hemorrhages from the nose and 
mouth ; difficult breathing, swelling of the legs ; 
yellow, purple, or livid spots on the skin ; tum- 
ours in the limbs, contraction of the tendons of the 
hams." &>c. 

The cause is cold and obstructions. A regular 
course of emetic, &,c. as in all other obstructed 



203 



cases, is a certain cure, unless the person is so far 
gone, as to be past all cure. 



SMALL pox. 

The symptoms of this disease are almost the 
same as in the measles, and the same progress 
will cure. The reason people die with this dis- 
ease is, the heat is not high enough within to drive 
the cold and canker from the system. Raise the 
heat with the vegetable emetic, &c. and throw 
the cold to the surface, and the disease will cer 
tainly be removed. When the blood is taken, 
the heat is lessened ; and when the mercury is 
given, the cold is increased. It is not strange 
that people die with such treatment ; the greatest 
wonder is that all do not die who are used in such 
a manner ! 

That this kind of medicine will cure the small 
pox, I will shew in two instances. One was : — 
About six years ago ; a man in Newburyport, by 
the name of Taylor. The doctors did not know 
what to call the disease. After attending him 
some time, he was given up to die. He then re- 
quested a Mr. Knight, who was some acquainted 
with this method of treating the sick, to give hiui 
an emetic. He did so, and the next day, the dis- 
order came out, and the doctors pronounced it 
the small pox. He soon recovered, which proved 
the excellency of vegetable medicine above all 
others. This I had from the man who gave the 
emetic. 

Another case was that of a man from New- 
York, in 183/1, who gave the small pox to so ma- 
ny in Boston. When he was covered on his 
face and body, he came to me to cure a bad hu- 
20* 



204 

mor. I had then no thought of his having the 
small pox. I gave him vegetable powders, and pills 
to drive the humor out, and botanic ointment to 
bathe with. He attended to my directions twen- 
ty four hours, and then came again. He followed 
the same course as much longer, and came the 
third time, and said he was well, and left the city 
for New- York. After his arrival, he heard that 
several in Boston had taken the disease from him. 
The doctors attended several without knowing 
what the disease was, and finally concluded it was 
the small pox. They were carried to the Hospi- 
tal. Some recovered, and some died. One of 
the Boston doctors said to me, " I told the doc- 
tors, they had better send them all to you." The 
emetic, I believe, will infallibly cure, if applied in 
season. 



STONE OR GRAVEL. 



" When small stones are lodged in the kidneys, 
or discharged along with the urine, the person is 
said to be afflicted with the gravel. If one of these 
stones happen to make a lodgement in the blad- 
der for some time, it accumulates fresh matter, 
and at length becomes too large to pass off with 
urine. In this case the person is said to have the 
gravel."— Buchan. 

The direct cause of the gravel is cold ; which 
may be seen in the water. This cold is in the 
kidneys. When the water is thick, something to 
remove the cold should be taken. In the first 
stages of the gravel, the hygeian compound, taken 
night and morning, and an injection, made of hem- 
lock bark and cayenne boiled together and given 
two or three times in a week will cure. If this 



205 

does not cure, a regular course must be attended 
to with the emetic, &>c. which will dissolve the 
stone, remove the cause, and bring the whole sys- 
tem regular. 



STRAINS. 



In the first stages, bathe with the elixir, and 
take the powders. If the part is inflamed, wet a 
cloth in cold water, and keep it on till the inflam- 
mation is done ; then apply the poultice, mentioned 
in this work. If the part is stiffened, bathe it with 
the Botanic ointment, in addition to the other 
things mentioned. 



STRANGUARY. 

This means simply a difficulty in discharging 
water, attended with heat or scalding. It is caus- 
ed by a cold in the neck of the water bladder, 
which takes away the action of the muscles in that 
part, and swells the passage. In common cases, 
an injection, the same as in the gravel, (see stone 
and gravel,) will releive in a short time, taking the 
Powders at the same time, night and morning. — 
When this will not cure,give the injection and emetic 
which I have never known to fail of effecting a cure. 



TETTERS. 



Tetters, pimples, ringworms, shingles, &,c. all 
proceed from one cause. When they make but a 
small appearance, the vegetable elixir rubbed on, 
and the powders taken for a few days, will cure. 
If they are stubborn, the person must go through 
a regular course of medicines, which will remove 
the cause, then the effect will cease. 



206 

TOOTHACHE. 

In com mo ti cases, hold the elixir in the mouth 
to take out the cold. If the cold in the jaw is the 
cause of the pain, treat it as the ague in the face. 
If this does not cure pull them out. 



VOMITING. 



It is not an uncommon thing for people to be 
taken with an involuntary vomiting. Sometimes 
it is owing to a foul stomach ; sometimes from 
food which does not digest ; and sometimes from 
taking poison. People have sometimes taken tar- 
tar emetic, and Indian root, antimony, or a wine 
emetic, which has caused a vomiting not easily 
stopped. 

Whatever may be the cause of such a kind of 
vomiting, the vegetable emetic, taken, will remove 
the cause, and prevent the operation. This is a 
safe and certain remedy in all cases of the kind in 
the young or old, male and female, in all condi- 
tions they may be in. 



WARTS. 



These are caused by leaks in the muscles, 
when the hands are strained, particularly in young 
people. To cure these, bathe the hands several 
times in a day, with vegetable elixir until they 
are gone. The elixir will stop the leaks ; and 
the warts will die for want of support from the 
hand. 



WORMS. 

Worms are considered a kind of disease ; but 
they are essential to our existence, and we cannot 
live without them. The cause of what is called 



207 

worms, is foulness of the stomach and bowels. — 
This sickens the worms, and they are disturbed ; 
and in endeavouring to get from the filth, get into 
knots in the throat, and often choak the person, 
and they die ; or they pass off the other way. The 
safe and sure remedy in this complaint is, to cleanse 
the stomach and bowels with the injection and 
emetic. I have never known this to fail of effect- 
ing a cure, if applied in season. 



TAPE WORM. 

This is so called from the flat appearance of a 
discharge like tape, which is considered a worm. 
This is caused by cold and filth in the bowels. — 
The same course as for worms should be pursued, 
which will certainly cure if continued. One man 
1 attended only once, and he was cured. Anoth- 
er I gave the injection and emetic six times before 
he was cured. This course will remove the cause, 
and restore the person to a natural state, and is 
done with entire safety. 



LIST OF DISEASES. 

Diseases, which all proceed from one general 
cause, and may be cured with one process ; that 
is by giving the injection and emetic described in 
this Book. If any one is at a loss what to do in 
the following cases, give the sick this emetic, at 
suitable intervals, until a cure is performed. This 
may be done with perfect safety. 

Apoplexy — Epilepsy — Palsy — Vertigo — Head- 
ache — Catarrh— Asthma — Cough — Consumption 
— Palpitation of the Heart — -Fevers — Small Pox- 
Chicken Pox — Measles — Surfeits — Plague — In- 
voluntary Vomiting — Inflammation of the Stomach 



208 

— Cholera Morbus — Bite of a Mad Dog — Yellow 
Jaundice; or Disease of the Liver — Gravel — 
Stranguary — Diabetas— Inflammation of the Reins 
and Bladder — Dropsy — Ruptures — Venereal Dis- 
ease — Scurvy — Obstructed Perspiration — Lepro- 
sy — Shingles — Bleeding at the Nose — Vomiting 
Blood — Bloody Urine — Gout — Rheumatism — Ob- 
struction and Suppression of the Menses — Fluor 
Albus — Relaxation of the Ligaments of the Uterus 
— Hysteric Fits — Cholososis ; or Green Sickness 
— Sterility — Bearing Down of the Matrix — Flood- 
ing — Abortions — Convulsions — After Pains. 



PJMRT Jf, 

VARIOUS KINDS OP POISON USED BY MEN, CALLED 

REGULAR DOCTORS, 

UNDER THE NAME OF MEDICINES. 

Opposition to the regular Doctors , as they are 
called, is not the cause of the following description 
of poison ; but good will to the sick, their friends, 
and mankind generally. A greater calamity, in 
my opinion cannot befall a nation, family or indi- 
vidual than to be poisoned when sick, with the 
hope of obtaining health from that which would 
kill a well man. Men are not only allowed to 
give the most deadly poison to the sick, but are 
encouraged in so doing, and paid largely for doing 
this work of destruction ; while by their means, 
men skilled in disease and medicine, are despised, 
put down, and treated as enemies to the sick, and 
not to be encouraged, in administering medicines 



209 

which God has created out of the earth to heal 
men, take away their pains, and to make peace 
throughout the earth. 

At this time, 1837, people are coming to the 
knowledge of vegetable medicines beyond what 
they ever knew before. 

Twenty years ago, fevers, consumptions, chole- 
ra morbus, and diseases of this kind were much 
more frequent than now. About sixteen years 
ago, the whole number of deaths in Boston, as 
published by the " Board of Health," was fourteen 
hundred and twenty in one year, out of about 
thirty thousand people. Now there are not far 
from eighty four thousand : The deaths in Bos- 
ton in 1834, as published by the " Board of 
Health," were not far from fifteen hundred ; only 
about one hundred more than when there were 
not half so many people. What can be the cause 
of this difference ? Boston stands where it did in 
1818; the land, the water, and the air is the same 
as then, unless an increase of land, buildings, and 
people tends to make the city more healthy. I 
consider the cause to be, using so much less of 
poisonous minerals, and vegetables. I do not be- 
lieve there is a twentieth part so much minerals 
administered to the sick now, as heretofore. Some 
of the Apothecaries say there are now more vege- 
tables used by the sick than there was fifteen 
years ago. 

There are at this time many families in Boston, 
who have wholly laid aside the old practice of 
bleeding, blistering, seatons, and issues, besides 
abandoning Mercury, Arsenic, Antimony, Calo- 
mel, Opium, Laudanum, and all other things con- 
nected with these deadly poisons. As a proof of 
all this, see how many infirmaries^ hospitals and 



210 

private houses there are, where the sick are re- 
ceived from different parts of the city and country 
and cured. There are at this time several of these 
houses, where the sick are attended from various 
parts. There are also several men who visit and 
attend the sick and lame at their houses, with 
great and good success. 

As soon as people know what they take from 
the Apothecaries' shops, they will wholly cease to 
use them ; this the doctors know for certainty. If 
the doctors wished the sick to know what they 
give them, their prescriptions would not be written 
in Latin, a language which the great mass of the 
people do not understand. Though the Apothe- 
caries have the business of preparing what they 
call medicines, and dealing them out according to 
the direction of the doctors ; yet I am told they 
do not know the use of what they sell for the sick, 
and more likely than not, some of the doctors who 
direct what medicine must be given the sick, 
would not know the medicine if they saw it. If 
an Apothecary is sick, he sends for a doctor to 
know what medicines he must take to restore him 
to health ; this to me is a ridiculous affair. A 
man is employed to deal out medicine for the sick, 
who does not know what to take himself when 
sick. 

If I were to tell people of medicines of my pre- 
parations good for the sick, and yet did not know 
what to take myself when sick, the public would 
rightly consider me a blockhead, more fit to dig in 
the mud, than to deal out medicines to young and 
old. How this would appear to an intelligent fo- 
reigner ! An American is sick, he sends to an 
American Physician for assistance 1 — he sends to an 
American Apothecary for medicine for the sick 



211 

man — the prescription is in Latin — the medicine 
is marked with a Latin word or words — neither of 
the three speaks the Latin language : What is ail 
this for ? To keep the sick man and his family ig- 
norant of what he is to take, I suppose. In vain 
do we blame the Catholics for praying and preach- 
ing in Latin, while our Physicians and Apotheca- 
ries do the same thing. 

Why is all this done ? I think there are two rea- 
sons for it. One is, that the people may remain 
entirely ignorant of what is done for the sick, that 
those who profess the healing art, as it is called, 
may have all to do that the sick need. 1 am often 
astonished at the ignorance of multitudes of young 
and old, as it respects medicine. Many people of 
good sense as to other things, are children as to 
knowledge of medicine. They conclude the doc- 
tor knows, and content themselves to remain in 
ignorance, and do as the doctor says, even when 
they think his directions are unreasonable and con- 
trary to nature. 

If the doctor says, 4< the outside must be blis- 
tered to cure the inside," they consent to have 
from one to a dozen put on, and sometimes one 
after another on the same sore spot. If the doctor 
says, " burn a hole in the arm or leg and keep it 
sore with a pea, or a piece of wood," they consent 
to have it done to obtain a cure, and though they 
grow worse and worse, yet they persevere to the 
last of life. If the doctor says "bleed often/' 
they consent to this until they look like dead men 
sitting up and trying to walk. If the doctor says, 
" go without eating, except some very light food, 
and but little of that," they obey, though they 
have an excellent appetite, and food does them 
good. If the doctor says, a leg or an arm must 
21 



212 

be taken off, it is done, and sometimes they hare 
taken off the wrong leg. If the doctor tells them 
that " the most innocent vegetable medicines are 
poison, and the most violent mineral, or vege- 
table poison is the most suitable and valuable me- 
dicine for them to take," — they refuse the good, 
and swallow the poison ; and though they see their 
friends take poison and die ; yet they will take the 
same kind, and hope for a cure till the last mo- 
ment of life. 

There is no doubt in my mind, that many who 
give poisonous things for medicine are honest, 
though not consistent. One proof of this honesty 
is, that some take the same poisons when sick, 
that they give others ; but this I think is not a 
general practice among doctors. 

The word Poison, in the Scriptures, is always 
in the singular, and of course is one thing only. 
There are three kinds of poison : mineral, vegeta- 
ble and animal. This is a subject of great im- 
portance at the present time ; as multitudes are 
told that poison is needful, and that some kinds of 
poison, is the best medicine for sick people. 

The following account of Poison, is from the 
Edinburgh Encyclopedia, vol. xv. page 26(5, arti- 
cle Poison. 

This work gives the following description of 
Poison • 

"Poison is any substance which proves destruc- 
tive to the life of animals in a small quantity, eith- 
er taken by the mouth, mixed with the blood or 
applied to the nerves. 

" Of poisons there are many different kinds, 
which are exceedingly various in their operations. 
The mineral poisons, as arsenic and corrosive 
mercury, seem to attack the solid parts of the sto- 



•213 

mach, and to produce death by corroding its sub- 
stance : the antimonials seem rather to attack the 
nerves, and to kill by throwing the whole system 
into convulsions ; and in this manner also most of 
the vegetable poisons seem to operate." 

We will now give a description of some of the 
minerals and vegetable poisons used to cure the 
sick. 

1. Mercury, is the first mineral poison we shall 
mention. There are various names given to this 
mineral ; some we shall mention. The first is 
Quicksilver, or Liquid Silver because it resem- 
bles liquid silver. The Germans called it Quack 
Salbar, and as it was used privately in private dis- 
eases,, the doctors who used it were at first called 
" quack sal bar doctors/' and at last quack doc- 
tors, or men who gave poison to the sick. This 
is Dr. Parr's account of it, and all who use quick- 
silver or quack sal bar are quack doctors. Now 
they fix the name quack on those who are entire- 
ly opposed to quackery, or quicksilver for medi- 
cine. At the close of the fourteenth century, 
Mercury was used by some as a medicine. Not 
far from that time it was called Mercury, or the 
god of medicine, as Paul was called Mercurius or 
Mercury, because the people of Iconium thought 
the god of eloquence had come down in the like- 
ness of men. 

Dr. Parr, in his "Medical Dictionary," page 171 ; 
gives the following description of this mineral. — 
" The people who work in the quicksilver mines 
soon die. When first affected, they are seized 
with tremours, after which, a salivation comes on, 
their teeth drop out, and pains of the whole body, 
particularly the bones, seize them." Hypocrates 
does not seem to have been acquainted with it.— 



214 

Aristottle and Dioscorides rank it among the poi- 
sons. Galen says it is corrosive. Messue the 
Arabian, was the first who used it as a medicine, 
and he only applied it in the form of an ointment 
in cutaneous diseases. Avicenna observes that it 
may be swallowed crude, and it passes through 
the body. About the end of the thirteenth centu- 
ry, it was introduced into Europe as a medicine, 
but not esteemed a safe one, until the Venereal 
disease was found to yield to its efficacy. The 
first internal mercurial medicine which gained re- 
al credit was the Pulul Barbarosa, which was com- 
posed of quicksilver, rheubarb and musk." 

Here you have the words of a learned doctor, 
who declares it poisonous, and that the men who 
dig it out of the earth, live but a short time. Sup- 
posing I we re to tell the world that the vegetable 
medicines I use, often destroy the lives of those 
who gather them ? Would any one dare to use 
them ? You answer no ! This mineral is used con- 
tinually, though the most learned doctors say it is 
poison, and death to those who dig or use it ! ! 



We will now give a few extracts from an Ame- 
rican physician, and author. We will select from 
the many, Dr. James Thatcher, of Plymouth, 
Mass. a man who has stood high among his breth- 
ren as a writer, and practitioner. We take the 
following from his Dispensatory. He says, " Mer- 
cury taken into the stomach in its metalic state, 
has no action on the body except what arises 
from its weight or bulk. It is not poisonous, as 
was vulgarly supposed, but perfectly inert. There 
is nevertheless indubitable evidence, that persons 



215 

who work in the mines, or are otherwise exposed 
to the fumes of quicksilver, frequently experience 
its destructive consequences. Among other dis- 
eases, Hoffman mentions palsies, apoplexies, epi- 
lepsies, hectic fever ,&c. these remarks are corrob- 
orated by a recent occurrence which took place 
on board two vessels in which, from the fumes ©f 
quicksilver, an alarming illness broke out among 
the crews, all of whom were moie or less salivat- 
ed." 

It is all in vain for Dr. Thatcher to say that 
mercury is not poisonous, after telling of its de- 
structive consequences. JNo poison can be worse 
than the effects of mercury above mentioned. — 
Hypocrates, Galen and many others say it is poi- 
sonous, and all who take it, have occasion to say 
the same. — See Thatcher's Disp. page 233. 

The ruinous effects of mercury are seen and felt 
in every part of the world, when it is administered 
under the name of medicine. 

2. Arsenic is another mineral poison given to 
the sick, under the name of medicine. Of this 
poison, Dr. Thatcher says, page 305. " Oxide of 
Arsenic is one of the most sudden and violent poi- 
sons we are acquainted with. In mines it causes 
the destruction of numbers who explore them, and 
it is frequently the instrument by which victims 
are sacrificed, either by the hand of wickedness, 
or imprudence. The fumes of arsenic are so del- 
eterious to the lungs, that the artist should be on 
his guard to prevent their being inhaled by the 
mouth, and swallowed with the saliva ; effects 
will take place similar to those which follow its 
introduction into the stomach in a saline state ; 
namely, a sensation of a piercing, gnawing and 
burning kind, accompanied with an acute pain in 
21* 



216 

the stomach and intestines, which last are violent- 
ly contorted; convulsive vomiting, insatiable thirst 
from the parched and rough state of the tongue 
and throat, hiccough, palpitation of the heart, and 
a deadly oppression of the whole breast succeeds 
next ; the matter ejected by the mouth as well as 
the stools, exhibit a black, feted and putrid ap- 
pearance ; at length with the mortification of the 
bowels, the pain subsides, and death terminates 
the sufferings of the patient. Soon after death, 
livid spots appear on the surface of the body, the 
nails become blue and often fall off along with the 
hair, and the whole body becomes speedily putrid. 
When the quantity is so very small, as not to prove 
fatal, tremours, paralysis, and lingering hectics 
succeed. On dissection, the stomach and bowels 
are found to be inflamed, gangrenous, and corrod- 
ed, and the blood is fluid. w 

How is it possible that any man after giving 
such an awful description of arsenic, can recom- 
mend it as one of the best medicines to be admin- 
istered in the worst cases of sickness ! ! This 
same Dr. Thatcher after describing the horrors of 
this mineral poison says on the same leaf, "though 
the most violent of mineral poisons, arsenic ac- 
cording to Murry, equals, when properly adminis- 
tered, the first medicines in the class of tonics. — 
This is well displayed in its efficacy in the treat- 
ment of intermitent fever the disease in which it 
has been principally used. The employment of 
oxide of arsenic is now extended to remitting fev- 
er, periodical head ache, dropsy, hydrophobia, 
lepra elephantiasis, and certainly with safety and 
success ; though its administration will always re- 
quire to be conducted with the utmost care." 
It is employed medicinally under various forms. 



217 

The arsenical solutions introduced by Dr. Fowler, 
being in general preferred, will be found in its 
place under the head of preparations. In the dis- 
eases mentioned above, particularly intermittents, 
it has been found to be a safe and efficacious rem- 
edy by Dr. Fowler, Withering and other respecta- 
ble practitioners ; a preparation similar to that di- 
rected by Dr. Fowler, and called white tasteless 
ague drops, has lately been given with singular 
efficacy in the whooping cough. 

Notwithstanding all the various preparations of 
arsenic its nature is the same — " the most violent 
of mineral poisons/' do what you may with it.— 
Can wheat flour be made a poison by a different 
mode of cooking ? Can cicuta be made healthy 
by any preparation ? Surely not. It is not strange 
to me that injurious minerals should be wrapped 
in Latin by those who administer them to the sick. 
Let the doctor tell his patient he must take the 
most violent poison to obtain a cure, and see if he 
will take it ! 

3. Antimony is another mineral poison. The 
word antimonium means, anti-monk; because it 
killed the monks who used it as medicine. The 
word anti means against, and this mineral is not 
only against the monks, but all others who take it 
under the name of medicine. 

Dr. Parr in his Medical Dictionary, vol. 1. p. 
135, gives the following account of it. " Anti- 
mony is sometimes found in a particular ore, but 
most frequently mixed with other metals. Basil 
Valentine a German Monk, gave it, as tradition 
relates, to some hogs, which after purging, it 
greatly fattened, thinking in like manner to feed 
his brother monks, all died by the experiment ; 
hence the name Antimony^ Anti-Monk. It is 



8*8 

called satanus devorans, or a devouring Satan or 
Devil, from its power of devouring or destroying, 
as it were, all metals when in fusion with it." 

Dr. Thatcher says of Antimony, Disp. p. 852, 
" Antimony in the modern nomenclature, is the 
name given to a peculiar metal. The Antimonial 
metal is a medicine of the greatest power of any 
known substance \ a quantity too minute to be 
sensible in the most delicate balance, is capable 
*)f producing violent .effects, if taken dissolved, or 
in a sol u able state All the met.alic preparations 
are uncertain, as it entirely depends on the state 
of the stomach, whether they have no action at all, 
or operate with dangerous violence." 

Any person of common understanding must be 
convinced by reading the above, that all prepara- 
tions of Antimony are dangerous in the extreme. 
** Let him that readeih understand." 

4. Nitre or Saltpetre. — Dr. Thatcher says, 
Dispensatory, p. 334 — " This salt consisting of 
nitric acid and potash, is found ready formed on 
the surface of the soil in warm climates. Animal 
and vegetable substances, in a state of decomposi- 
tion, are mixed with a quantity of carbonate of 
lime, and exposed to the air but protected from 
the rain." Animal and vegetable substances in a 
state of decomposition means dead flesh, and rot- 
ton plants of any kind — curious medicines ! made 
from dead hogs, dead hens, dogs and horses, with 
rotton cabbage, onions, squashes, turnips, &c. 
That this salt is poison we have only to read Dr. 
T's account of it, p. 284. " This powerful salt, 
when inadvertently taken in too large quantities 
is one of the most fatal poisons. There are sev- 
eral attested cases on record, and some recent in- 
stances might be added, in which from half to an 



219 

whole ounce has occasioned violent vomiting, con- 
vulsions, swellings, and other painful symptoms, 
in persons who by mistake, had swallowed it in a 
dissolved state, instead of glauber or similar salts. 
For some interesting observations relative to the 
deleterious properties of saltpetre, the reader is re- 
fered to Dr. Mitchell's letter to Dr. Priestly." The 
above is Dr. Thatcher's account of the poisonous 
nature of saltpetre, which is recommended as me- 
dicine for the sick, and the doctor tells us how to 
take the same to obtain a cure. People put this 
poisonous salt on their beef, bacon, and some into 
butter to make the meat tender and to keep the 
butter cool. When bacon is fried it foams, to 
shew the poison ; sometimes the meat crumbles 
from the bone of the bacon. " Death is in the 
pot." 

5. Opium. — This is a vegetable poison, by 
which multitudes have died. Opium means the 
juice or milk of white poppies — this juice exposed 
for a few days to the sun and air, thickens into a 
stiff tenacious mass which in fact is opium. It is 
then worked up into masses and covered with 
poppy or tobacco leaves. That opium is poison, 
is certain, not only from the effect it has on those 
who take it, but also from what is said of it by 
medical writers. Dr. Thatcher says (see Disp. p. 
295,) " Opium, taken into the stomach in a large 
dose, gives rise to confusion of the head and verti- 
go, the powers of all stimulating causes of making 
impressions on the body are diminished, and even 
at times, and in situations when a person would 
be awake, sleep is irrisistably induced. In still 
larger doses, it acts in the same manner as the 
narcotic poisons, giving rise to vertigo, headache, 
tremours, delirium and convulsions, and these ter- 



220 

minating in a state of stupor from which the per- 
son cannot be aroused. This stupor is accompa- 
nied with slowness of pulse, and with stertor in 
breathing, and the scene is terminated in death, 
attended with the same appearances^ as take place 
in an apoplexy." It is a wretched argument in 
favor of giving opium, that some have found relief, 
or at least have lived through the operations of a 
dose of clear opium, or a preparation of it called 
laudanum, or some other preparation of it. It is 
the same as arguing upon the safety of falling 
overboard, because some have lived afterwards. 

Dr. T. has in this quotation said enough to con- 
vince any rational man of the danger of taking 
opium on any occasion excepting when he means 
to destroy his own life, instead of waiting to die a 
natural death. 



Having mentioned afew of the most fatal min- 
eral and vegetable poisons, we will notice a few 
of the very many preparations of mineral and veg- 
etable poisons, published in books on this subject, 
by those who are appointed to attend and admin- 
ister to the sick. 

Mercurial preparations are numerous. 1. Pu- 
rified Quicksilver* This is quicksilver separated 
from its carbon, and any foreign body or metal it 
may have contained in its natural state by distil- 
ling it with filings of iron. What a nourishing pre- 
paration this must be for a sick man ! Equal to 
broth of boiled shingle nails ! 

2. Mineral Quicksilver or Corrosive Sublimate. 
This is a preparation of quicksilver, sulphuric a- 
cid, and dry muriatic of soda. Corrosive subli- 



221 

mate means the highest preparation of quicksilver, 
corrosive means consuming, eating or wasting 
away. What but learned ignorance would have 
ever contrived such a mess to cure a sick man. 
As well might the wild ass grow fat by snuffing up 
the East wind, while the range of the mountains 
are his pasture. 

3. Sub Muriate of Quicksilver, or Calomel. — 
This is a preparation of muriate of quicksilver and 
purified quicksilver. This is the famous Calomel 
so much used, it is quicksilver and quicksilver. It 
looks to me like a cake made of coarse and fine 
indian meal. What would this be but an indian 
cake 1 It hides itself under a new name, but it is 
quicksilver after all the cooking. A new name 
for the old poison. 

4. Precipitated Submuriate of Quicksilver. — 
This is another kind of calomel. It is made of 
diluted nitrous acid, purified quicksilver, muriate 
of soda, and boiling water. This differs about as 
much from the other calomel, as an indian cake 
shortened and sweetened does from one of the 
same kind without either shortening or sweeten- 
ing- 

5. JEthop's Mineral — This is made of purified 
quicksilver and sulpher equal parts. Dr. Thatch- 
er says of this poison, page 451, " this is perhaps 
the most inactive of the mercurial preparations." 
Who is there that would dare knowingly to take 
inactive or deadening poison into the stomach in 
hope of obtaining relief ? 

6. Blue Pills. — " These are made of purified 
quicksilver, conserve of red roses, each an ounce, 
and two ounces of starch." 

Having mentioned a few preparations of mer- 
cury, and some of the other mineral poisons used 



222 

for medicine, we will now name a few other poi- 
sonous preparations which should be avoided as 
such by the sick and healthy, being all in their 
nature contrary to health, and tending to destroy 
life and health — Dr. T's. Dispens. 

1. Prepared Sulphuret of Antimony. 2. Glass 
of Antimony. 3. Cerated Glass of Antimony. 4. 
Golden Sulphur of Antimony. 5. Antimonial 
Powder. 6. Butter of Antimony. 7. Emetic Tar- 
tar. 8. Panacea of Antimony. 9. Lunar Caus- 
tic. 10. Amonia of Copper. 11. Iron. 12. Pu- 
rified Iron Scales. 13. Salt of Steel. 14. Cal- 
cined Vitriol. 15. Martial Flowers. 16. Phos- 
phate of Iron. 17. Purified Quicksilver. ■ 18. A- 
cetate of Quicksilver. 19. Calomel. 20. Pre- 
cipitate Mercury. 21. ^Ethop's Mineral. 22. Su- 
gar of Lead. 23. Extract Lead. 24. Flowers 
of Zinc. 25. Arsenical Solution. 26. Vitrolic 
Ether. 27. Dulcified Spirit of Vitriol. 28. Dul- 
cified Spirit of Nitre. 29. Inspissated Juice of 
Aconite or Wolf's Bane. 30. Inspissated Juice 
of Deadly Night Shade. 31. Inspissated Juice of 
Black Henbane. 32. Infusion of common Fox 
Glove. 33. Strong Tincture of Spanish Flies. 
34. Liquid Laudanum. 35. Paragoric Elixir. 36. 
Tincture of Thorn Apple. 37. Wine of Tobac- 
co. 38. Wine of Opium. 39. Antimonial Wine. 
40. Wine of Iron. 41. Copper Pills. 42. Mer- 
curial Pills, or Blue Pills. 43. Ointment of Quick- 
silver. 44. Blue Ointment. 45. Ointment of 
Verdigris. 46. Ointment of Oxide of Zinc. 47. 
Plaster of Quicksilver. 48. Prussic Acid. 49. 
Golden Sulphur of Antimony. 50. Compound 
Mixture of Iron. Here are fifty poisonous prepa- 
rations ready to be given the sick when the inven- 
tors of these dreadful calamities are called upon to 



223 

deal out such vials of wrath. We will give the 
composition of one of them called Tartarized An- 
timony or Emetic Tartar. Dr. Thatcher says, this 
scourge of nations is composed of " Oxide of An- 
timony with Sulphur, nitrate of Potash three parts, 
super tartrate of Potash four parts, distilled water 
thirty-two parts." 

As all the above preparations contain more or 
less mineral or vegetable poison, it seems to me 
almost needless to do more than to lay them be- 
fore my fellow citizens as poisonous, for them to 
avoid such poisons as they regard their health and 
lives. No preparation can alter the nature of poi- 
son. Those learned overseers of the sick tell us 
what to do when these things poison the sick. — 
Minerals always do that in a greater or less degree. 
When people take poison to kill themselves, they 
only take what the doctors give the sick to save 
them from death. 

Any one who doubts these statements may read 
Thatcher's Dispensatory, and find the articles 
here recorded as poisonous. It would make a 
large volume if all the poisonous preparations 
were written, with the dreadful effects they have 
produced, and are now producing in every part of 
the world where poison is given to the sick in- 
stead of that medicine the Lord has created out 
of the earth, by which he heals men, takes away 
their pains, and makes peace through all the 
earth. 



In p. 187 of Dr. T's Disp. is the following Ta- 
ble showing the proportion of Antimony, Opium 

22 



224 

and Quicksilver contained in some compound me- 
dicine. 

Tartrite of Antimony. Wine of Tartrite of 
Antimony contains two grains of tartrite of Anti- 
mony in the ounce. 

Opium. Opiate Electuary contains in each 
drachm about a grain and a half of opium. 

Electuary of Catechu contains in each ounce 
about two grains and a half of opium ; for one 
grain of opium is contained in one hundred and 
ninety three grains. 

Powder of Ipacacuan and Opium contains six 
grains of opium, in each drachm or one grain in 
ten. 

Opiate Powder contains one grain of opium in 
ten. 

Opiate Pills contain six grains of opium in each 
drachm, or five grains contain half a grain of opium. 

Tincture of Opium is made with two scruples 
of opium in each ounce of the liquid, or with five 
grains in each drachm. 

Animoniated Tincture of Opium is made with 
about eight grains of opium in each ounce of the 
liquid or about one grain in each drachm. 

Tincture of Soap with Opium is made with 
about fifteen grains of opium in each ounce of the 
liquid. 

Troches of Liquorice with Opium, contains 
about one grain of opium in each drachm. 

Camphorated Tincture of Opium, contains near- 
ly one grain of opium in three drachms. 

Quicksilver. Quicksilver Pills contain fifteen 
grains of quicksilver in each drachm. 

Quicksilver Ointment contains about twentyfive 
grains of quicksilver in each drachm. 



225 

Mild Quicksilver Ointment contains twelve 
grains of quicksilver in each drachm. 

Quicksilver Plaster contains about sixteen 
grains of quicksilver in each drachm. 

Ointment of Nitrate of Quicksilver contains in 
each drachm four grains of quicksilver and eight 
of nitrous acid. 

Milder Ointment of Nitrate of Quicksilver con- 
tains in each scruple half a grain of quicksilver, 
and one grain of nitrous acid." 

If reading and understanding all these prepara- 
tions of antimony, opium and quicksilver does not 
convince men of the ruinous tendency of them, I 
know of but two ways to convince them ; one is 
to give those things to their friends and if that is 
not enough, take the doses themselves. 

These poisons for the sick strongly urge upon 
my mind the words o-t the Prophet Isaiah, v. 20. 
" Woe unto them that call evil good, and good 
evil ; that put darkness for light, and light for 
darkness ; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for 
bitter." 

If this is not the case in the above preparations, 
I am not capable of judging between good and 
evil. Can good bread be made from bad flour ? 
Can a good dinner be made from tainted meat, 
mouldy bread and frozen potatoes 1 Can evil be 
turned into good, or good into evil ? Can darkness 
produce light or light produce darkness ? Can bit- 
ter be made sweet ? Can sweet be made bitter ? 
Can poison produce health ?. Can health produce 
disease 1 

Should the public be told that many medicines 
I use cause death to those who gather them, would 
any believe that healthy medicines could be pre- 
pared from them? All join to say no! no! Dr. T. 



226 

says that the minerals used for medicine are 
some of the most fatal poisons! and afterwards he 
calls these evils good. When will the time come 
that men shall have their senses exercised to dis- 
cern both good and evil, and to know that good 
cannot be evil, nor evil good, even when the doc- 
tor says so !" 

There is now only one thing more for the peo- 
ple to learn, and we shall be the most happy na- 
tion on earth. That one thing is medicine ; or 
" what is best to cure a sick man.' 9 What was 
once called government and religion, remained in 
latin, and no common man could read what it 
meant. Government is now a simple thing, keep- 
ing ourselves in harmony under rulers of our own 
choice. Religion now means our duty to God, 
ourselves, and each other. The book which con- 
tains this, is now in almost all languages ; and al- 
most every person can read now, and understand 
for himself. This is certain, that the more know- 
ledge people have of the scriptures, the more pea- 
ceable they are among themselves. 

Popular medicine is now wrapped in latin even 
among Americans. Why is this 1 It is said that 
if people knew it, they would make a bad use of 
medicine and kill themselves. This is not true ; 
if they knew what it is, they would not use it at 
all. Let an apothecary put on his drawers quick- 
silver, arsenic, or ratsbane, whoever saw this, 
would flee from it as a deadly poison. 

When the translation of the Bible into the Eng- 
lish language or mother tongue, was first propos- 
ed, the clergy raised a great cry against it, as some 
doctors do about medicine. Some said it would 
ruin the nation and that it would be the means of 
bringing religion to nothing. One clergyman said 



227 

if a common farmer should read this text— tl No 
man putting his hand to the plough, and looking 
back, is fit for the kingdom ;" if when ploughing 
he should happen to look back, he might go dis- 
tracted, fearing he should go to hell for such an 
act. Farmers have more sense. 

All the objections against an acquaintance with 
medicine are of no weight. The work is begun, 
it must and will prevail. When a law was made 
to prevent any one from administering medicine in 
London, and within six miles, unless amemberof 
the " Medical Society," it was stated, that no one 
should be prevented, or hindered from administer- 
ing, or taking any kind of herbs, roots, &c. This 
is all needful for the sick. 

That people generally ought to become acquaint- 
ed with that medicine best for the sick and infirm, 
is evident from the following considerations. 

1 . The example of the beasts and birds urge 
us to an acquaintance with medicine. Men in 
general think themselves much above the beasts 
and creeping things ; but some of them are ahead 
of man. When a spider stings a toad, he knows 
what medicine to use as a cure. He bites the 
plantain leaf, and is cured. The cat when sick 
eats catnip, and is cured of fits, and other difficul- 
ties. The dog, when sick, eats a certain kind of 
grass, and soon is well. So with the horse, he 
knows what medicine will cure his disease ; let 
him run free, and he will soon find it, and be w r ell. 
Some say this is instinct, if this is instinct, and 
better than reason, let us either give up our reason 
for instinct, or use our reason in going beyond in- 
stinct, and then be wiser than the beasts that per- 
ish, instead of falling below them. 

2. Another reason why men generally ought to 

22* 



228 

become acquainted with medicine, is, that the na- 
tives, the wild men of the woods are acquainted 
with it. How many people there are who, after 
trying all the Doctors, as they term it, have been 
cured entirely by some old Indian or squaw ! they 
never think of giving poison to the sick to effect a 
cure. And who ever saw an indian bleed or blis- 
ter a sick man to remove disease ! A man can- 
not have a high opinion of his knowledge of med- 
icine, when the beast, birds and wild men use 
none of them. 

3. Another argument in favor of a knowledge 
of medicine is, that in ancient times, it was gen- 
erally known. It is but a few years since the 
knowledge of medicine was confined to a few. — 
Much of what is called medicine, was unknown 
to the ancients, either the physicians, or common 
people. Hypocrates did not know Mercury as a 
medicine. He called it corrosive. Celsus called 
it poison, so did Galen. How many men and wo- 
men there were fifty years ago, who understood 
medicine, to what there are now. Since the in- 
troduction of mercury, antimony and other miner- 
al poisons, the knowledge of medicines, which 
grew out of the earth, has been in a great measure 
lost, until within a few years. That vegetable med- 
icines were generally known, is plain from what 
David said/* He gave grass for the cattle, and herbs 
for the service of Man." Vegetable medicines 
are clearly described as in general use in the Book 
of Ecclesiastes, chap. 38, ver. 1 to 15th "Honor a 
physician with the honor due to him for the uses 
which ye may have of him ; for the Lord hath 
created him. For of the Most High cometh heal- 
ing, and he shall receive honor from the king. — - 
The skill of the physician shall lift up his head ; 



229 

and in the sight of great men shall he be in admi- 
ration. The Lord has created medicines out of 
the earth ; and he that is wise will not abhor them. 
Was not the water made sweet with wood, that 
the virtue thereof might be made known ? And he 
hath given men skill, that he might be honored in 
his marvelous works. With such doth he heal 
men, and taketh away their pains. 

Of such doth the apothecary make a confection, 
and of his works there is no end ; from him is 
peace over all the earth. My son, in thy sickness 
be not negligent, but pray unto the Lord, and he 
will make thee whole. Leave off from sin, and 
order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from 
all wickedness. Give a sweet savor, and a memo- 
rial of line flour ; and make a fat offering, as not 
being. Then give place unto the physician, for 
the Lord Jiath created him, let him not go from 
thee, for thou hast need of him. There is a time 
when in their hands there is good success. For 
they shall also pray unto the Lord, that he would 
prosper that which they give for ease, and remedy 
to prolong life. He that sinneth before his Ma- 
ker, let him fall into the hands of the physician. " 
These things are all plain, and need no com- 
ment. 

4. Another reason. It is generally acknow- 
ledged that it is needful for the common people, 
at least, to be acquainted with what is best to be 
done in the common business of life. We all al- 
low that it is best that men should well understand 
the business they expect to follow for a livelihood 
through life. Women should be taught all things 
belonging to house keeping. Woe to the man 
whose wife was brought up ignorant of what is to 
be done in a family. There is not so much skill 



230 -'■[. 9 

required in preparing the vegetable, medicines as 
to do all in the various branches of cooking. What 
should we do if the knowledge of cooking food 
was confined to a few, and all others must depend 
on their preparation 1 It would then be with food 
as it now is with medicines, we must take what 
they give, though it make us sick, or make us die. 

5. Another reason why medicines of a vegeta- 
ble kind should be generally known is, that in all 
Countries where the earth produces food and cloth- 
ing, it produces such medicines, in quantity and 
variety altogether suitable and sufficient to cure 
all diseases, if applied in seuson. This is a re- 
ceived opinion among our fellow citizens at this 
time. It is astonishing to see the vast variety of 
medicines which is the growth of our own coun- 
try ! For one difficulty there are many things use- 
ful, some for one, some for another, according to 
the age or strength of the sick, according to the 
age, state or stage of disease, so that if one plant 
is too weak or strong, another is exactly suited to 
the case, and this is proved by the one which per- 
forms. 

6. One argument in favor of vegetable medicine 
is that so much is now written on the subject, and 
yet so little, known. 

Hypocrates appears among the first who wrote 
upon medicines ; he lived twenty-one hundred 
years ago ; or three hundred before the birth of 
Christ He was a real physician, and not barely a 
professional one. He said there was in every man 
a kind of immortality, which he called nature. — - 
This he said was heat; he said it operated to 
throw off the bad and hold the good. This is the 
true principle in man. He said there is a medi- 
cine, or vegetable, which would clear the stomach 



231 

of filth : collect the same from all directions into 
the stomach, and then throw it off from the man, 
and thus restore him to health. He does not tell 
us what that medicine is, but we have found the 
vegetable which does all this, and restores to 
health and strength. This is one of the greatest 
discoveries ever known by man, as it respects 
disease and health. 

Celsus wrote considerable on vegetable medi- 
cines, and Galen was a botanic physician. Some 
objected to his plan, as too bulky, and that he gave 
too much. To remedy this, they distilled the ve- 
getables; which drove off the virtue of them. — 
Next they used minerals, which brought all into a 
small compass, and so they go to this day. So I 
have read in some author. 

Nicholas Culpepper, an Englishman, wrote 
much upon vegetables ; he was born October 18, 
1616, and died January 19. 1654, aged 38 years 
and three months. According to these dates, his 
book was written about one hundred and eighty- 
five years ago, or not far from that time. I have 
now one of his books printed about the year 1644, 
and another in 1794, much improved in language, 
and some enlarged. Silsby printed an edition a- 
bout the year 1796, with another volume of his 
own. In the first volume, Silsby has described 
towards five hundred plants and roots, and given 
the shapes of the medical plants, mentioned by 
Culpepper. This is a valuable work, and ought 
to be known. Besides these, we have many mo- 
dern books on vegetable medicine, by American 
authors, which are calculated to do much good, if 
attended too. 

The following are among the many — Dr.Thatch- 
er's Dispensatory is one ; though many mineral 



232 

poisons are recommended, yet there are very many 
valuable vegetables described. Dr. Ewel, has 
written a large volume on medicine, in which are 
many excellent vegetables described. Dr. Beach 
has written one large volume, nearly all upon ve- 
getables, and their use as medicines Dr. S. Thom- 
son has written, or some one for him, a small vol- 
ume on vegetables he thinks the best on earth. 

Dr. David Rogers, of New-York, has published 
a small volume on a variety of vegetables, with 
their uses, which is worth reading and attending 
too. Dr. Steward has published a small volume, 
in which are many good vegetables described. 

From this view of the many who have written 
upon vegetable medicines, no one can be excused 
for remaining ignorant of vegetable medicines, for 
want of various descriptions of them. 

7. One reason more in favor of the knowledge 
of vegetables is, the great advantage derived from 
the knowledge and use of them. 

The compound vegetable medicines prepared 
and used by the author of this work, have exceed- 
ed all others in usefulness, on himself, his family, 
and in various parts of the United States; in Eu- 
rope, Asia and Africa. People from all these 
countries have been cured in Boston, and gone to 
their homes in health. 

Some one or more of the preparations mention- 
ed in this work, have been used with astonishing 
effect, when even the Thomsonian system has fail- 
ed. The abundant proofs of the usefulness of ve- 
getable preparations is the extent of country where 
vegetables are now used. 

The regular Doctors acknowledge that two mil- 
lions of people now use vegetables instead of min- 
erals. Some of the regulars appear alarmed at its 



233 

rapid spread, and some conclude vegetables are 
much better than mineral poison. The number 
is daily increasing who say, we will not take poi- 
son any longer." 



Having given a description of poison, and my 
reasons for using vegetable medicines only, I shall 
close this fourth part, with a few extracts from the 
mineral doctors, " as their own •poets have said" 

The candid confession of Dr. Richard Rees, of 
London, member of the Royal College of Sur- 
geons, author of the "Dictionary of Popular 
Medicine" li Medical Guide" " Chemical 
Guide," Corresponding Member of the Society 
of Practical Medicine, of Paris, fyc. 
" The charter of the « Royal College of Physi- 
cians' is found to contain a singular license, which 
is, permission to any one and every one to practice 
the healing art by the use of herbs only. Now we 
do really consider this as ample permission as any 
man would require, for poor must be the resour- 
ces of that physician's mind, and very narrow his 
knowledge of medical botany, who would not from 
the vegetable kingdom alone, cure most of the 
diseases of the human frame : even the specific of 
mercury, if we were driven to the necessity of a 
substitute, might probably be rivalled in some of 
these productions of nature. We know not wheth- 
er we have the most reason to hail the discovery 
of mercury as a blessing, or regard it as a curse, 
since the diseases it entails are as numerous as 
those which it cures. Our best informed dentists 
declare that they can clearly witness the progress 
of the use of mercury, in the increasing diseases 
and decay of the teeth. There are serious objec- 



234 

tions also to other articles of the metalic world: 
antimony, iron, arsenic, are dangerous remedies 
in the hands of the ignorant, and mankind, per- 
haps, in the aggregate, would be benefited by their 
expulsion from medical practice." 



QUACKS AND QUACKERY. 

Much has of late been said of quacks and quack- 
ery, first by men called Doctors, and then by those 
who have learned to talk after them. Nothing 
sounds worse with many, than the word quack, 
when applied to a man who cures the sick out of 
the common wayof giving mercury, laudanum, blis- 
tering, bleeding, setons, and issues, &,c. Some 
have gone so far as to say, they would not be cur- 
ed by a quack, or any but a regular doctor. 

At such a time as this, it is highly proper to 
find the original meaning of the word quack, and 
then apply it to such as deserve this title of dis- 
grace. To be certain what the word means, we 
must apply to some learned doctor of the regular 
order, for an explanation. Dr. Parr, author of the 
London Medical Dictionary, shall be the man to 
decide for us. He was, " Fellow of the Royal 
Societies of London and Edinburgh, and senior 
Physician of the Devon and Exeter hospitals." — 
These are his words " Quacks and Quack Me- 
dicines. The appellation of quack arose from 
quack-salber , the German appellation of quick- 
silver ; since on the first appearance of leus the 
irregular practitioners only employed this reputed- 
ly dangerous medicine. At present it is confined 
to those who sell a pretended nostrum, the prepa- 
ration of which is kept a secret ; but may be ap- 
plied to every practitioner who by pompous pre- 



235 

tences, mean insinuations, and indirect promises, 
endeavors to obtain that confidence which neith- 
er success nor experience have entitled him to." 

However much the meaning of a word may be 
varied, it is certain that the original meaning of a 
word is the true meaning. The word federalist 
first meant such as were friends of the general 
union of the states. Now it means something 
else. The first is the true meaning. It is cer- 
tain from Dr. Parr, that the word quack, original- 
ly meant one who secretly dealt out quick-silver for 
medicine in certain cases. He might secrete it 
under a latin word or abbreviation — but whoever 
gave quick-silver for medicine was called a quack, 
or dealer in quick-silver, or what is now called 
mercury, calomel, corrosive sublimate, submuriate, 
or any other mercurial preparation. 

Judge ye, readers, who are the quacks. Ac* 
cording to Dr. Parr, quacks are just as numerous 
as the men who give any mercurial preparation 
secretly under the name of medicine. The doc- 
tors are not turned quacks, but according to Dr. 
Parr are already such. To call a man a quack, 
because he heals the sick with such medicines as 
the Lord has created out of the earth for that pur- 
pose, is the same as to give a man a tijle of re- 
proach, because he not only desires, but really 
<loes good to all as he has opportunity, in opposi- 
ion to all who are only lovers of their ownselves, 
and care not who suffer, if they can be gratified 
in what they desire. 

But a k\v years ago, all preachers excepting 
those called the regular order, were treated in the 
same manner. See the difference now ! so it will 
be with those who despise all who do not conform 
to them, and obey all they command. 
23 



236 

The following from Doctor Hooper, on various 
mineral poisons, is an illustration, of the word 
quack, mentioned in the piece before this. Doc- 
tor Hooper has acknowledged that arsenic, anti- 
mony, lead, opium, mercury, &lc. are deadly pois- 
ons as they tend to destroy life. 

What can be a greater inconsistency on earth 
than to give that to a sick man, to cure him, which 
if given to a well man would destroy life. If this 
description of poison given by Dr. Hooper, will 
not convince people of the danger of taking poi- 
son under the name of medicine, they must go on 
till death terminates the sufferings of the patient. 

POISONS. 

" 1. &. What is a poison ? 

A. A poison is any substance capable of alter- 
ing or destroying some or all of the functions ne- 
cessary to life. 

2. Q,. What are the principal mineral poisons? 
A. Arsenic : antimony ; copper ; lead ; and 

mercury. 

3. Q. What are the symptoms of poisoning by 
arsenic 1 

A. An austere taste, constriction of the pha- 
rynx and«cesophagus, hiccup, nausea, and vomit- 
ing of brown or bloody matter ; great anxiety ; 
heat and severe pain at the pit of the stomach ; 
black and fetid stools ; small, and frequent, and 
irregular pulse ; burning heat ; delirium convul- 
sions, and death. 

4. Q. How is a case of poisoning by arsenic to 
be treated 1 

A. Vomiting is to be immediately excited by 
an emetic, of zinc, or ipecacuanha, aided by the 



237 

liberal use of diluents. If vomiting is not speedi- 
ly induced by these means, the stomach should be 
washed out by Jukes' s syringe. After the stom- 
ach has been thus cleared of the poison, the next 
indication is to counteract the secondary symp- 
toms. This is to be accomplished by venesection, 
fomentations, emollient glysters, as circumstances 
may require. 

5. Is there any known antidote to the poison of 
arsenic ? 

A. Sulpher of potash, alkaline salts, charcoal, 
sulpher, &,c , have all been recommended, but are 
of doubtful efficacy. Carbonate of magnesia is 
perhaps entitled to the most credit as an antidote. 

6. Q. What are the tests of arsenic. 

A. The following are the most important : viz. 

1. The ammoniaco-nitrate of silver dropped in- 
to a solution of arsenic, produces a copious yellow 
precipitate, which in the course of a few hours 
turns to a dark brown. 

2. The ammoniaco-sulphate of copper produces 
a copious green precipitate, well-known under the 
name of Scheele's green. 

3. If a stream of sulphuretted hydrogen be pass- 
ed through a solution of arsenic, it causes ayellow 
precipitate. 

4. If arsenic be thrown upon hot coals, it burns 
with a garlic smell. 

5. If arsenic be surrounded with a circle of 
charcoal, between two copper plates, and subject- 
ed to heat for a few minutes, on separating the 
plates a silver-like stain will be left upon the plates. 

6. Another test is the reduction of the metal, 
by calcining the dried suspected matter in a glass 
tube, with equal parts of charcoal and potash, 
when, itarsenic be present, even in a very minute 



238 

quantity, it will be sublimed, in the form of a shin- 
ing metallic coating. 

7. Take a little recent wheat starch, add to it 
a sufficient quantity of iodine to give it a blue col- 
or ; mix a little of this blue matter with water so 
as to have a blue colored liquid. If into this liquid 
a few drops of an aqueous solution of arsenious 
acid be put, the blue color is immediately chang- 
ed to a redish brown, and is gradually dissipated 
entirely. If a few drops of sulphuric acid be now 
added, the blue color is again restored. 

8. Take a few drops of the solution ofchromate 
of potash to the filtered solution, or to a grain of 
white arsenic in substance, and in half an hour a 
bright grass-green color will be produced. 

7. Q,. What are the appearances on dissection 
of a person who has been poisoned by arsenic ? 

A. The stomach is the principal seat of morbid 
appearances. The villous coat of that organ is 
most generally found in a state of high inflamma- 
tion, frequently with erosions upon its surface. — 
The villous coat may, not be unfrequently separat- 
ed. The intestines are also inflamed, but in a less 
degree. The lungs are also usually affected — 
they are livid, or have livid spots on their surface. 
The other viscera are generally in a healthy con- 
dition. 

8. Q,. What are the effects of tartar emetic, when 
taken in a large dose. 

A. Severe pain in the stomach ; excessive vom- 
iting ; profuse liquid stools ; face pale ; prostra- 
tion of strength ; pulse small and feeble ; cramps 
in the extremities. 

9. Q,, What are the appearances on dissection ? 
A. Inflammation of stomach and intestines. — 

The lungs are also frequently inflamed. 



239 

10. Q,. How is poisoning by tartar emetic to be 
treated. 

A. Vomiting, if not already present, to be ex- 
cited by tickling the throat with the finger or a 
feather, and diluting with large draughts of mild 
fluids. The inflammatory symptoms afterwards to 
be subdued by the usual antiphlogistic means. 

11. Q,. What are the best antidotes to tartar 
emetic. 

A. Decoction of bark is the best. If this can- 
not be obtained, strong tea, or a decoction of nut 
galls, or any other astringent herb will answer. 

12. Q,. What are the test of tartar emetic '? 

A. 1. Sulphuretted hydrogen and the hydro- 
sulphurets, when used in small quantities, throw 
down an orange-yellow precipitate ; when used in 
larger quantities, a deep brown red. 

2. Sulphuric acid produces a white precipitate. 

3. Lime water, water of barytes, and alkalis 
give a thick white precipitate. 

4. Infusion of galls causes a copious white pre- 
cipitate, and is the most delicate test of all. 

5. When heated red hot with the black flux, all 
the preparations of antimony are reduced to the 
metallic state. 

13. d. What is the preparation of copper which 
is most usually poisonous. 

A. Verdegris, or the sub-acetate of copper. 

14. Q,. What are the symptoms of poisoning by 
copper ? 

A. An acrid, styptic, coppery taste in the 
mouth ; parched and dry tongue ; a sense of 
strangulation in the throat, coppery eruptations, 
constant spitting, nausea, copious vomitings or vain 
efforts to vomit, shooting pains in the stomach, 
which are often very severe ; horrible gripings ; 
23* 



240 

frequent alvine evacuations, sometimes bloody and 
blackish, with tenesmus and debility ; the abdo- 
men inflated and painful ; the pulse small, irre* 
gular, light, and frequent ; syncope, heat of skin, 
ardent thurst, difficulty of breathing, anxiety about 
the praecordia, cold sweats, scanty urine, violent 
headach, vertigo, faintness, weakness in the limbs, 
cramps of the legs, and convulsions. 

15. &• What are the appearances on dissection? 
A. The stomach and intestinal canal are found 

inflated, and sometimes gangrenous. 

16. Q. How is poisoning by copper to be treated? 
A. For the purpose of expelling the poison, 

vomiting is to be excited by copious draughts of 
milk and water. After this inflammatory symp- 
toms are to be subdued by the usual means, and 
nervous symptoms by opium and antipasmodics. 

17. Q. What is the antidote to copper ? 

A. Whites of eggs mixed up with water, which 
must be taken freely. 

18. d. What are the tests of verdegris ? 

A. 1. Mix the verdegris with charcoal, and 
heat it to redness in a crucible, and metalic cop- 
per will be formed. 

2. Sulphuretted hydrogen precipitates a black 
sulphuret of copper. 

3. Ammonia gives a blue precipitate, but if add- 
ed in excess, the precipitate re-dissolves, and the 
liquor is of a beautiful blue color. 

4. A clean plate of iron immersed in the solu- 
tion, becomes covered in a few hours with a por- 
tion of the copper, and the blue color of the solu- 
tion grows first green, and then turns to red. 

19. Q,. What are the symptoms of poisoning by 
lead ? 

A. When taken in large quantities, a sweetish 
astringent, constriction of the throat, pain in the 



241 

region of the stomach, obstinate, and often bloody 
vomitings, hiccup, convulsions, and death. When 
taken in small quantities and long continued dos- 
es, it causes colica pictonum and paralysis. 

20. d. What are the antidotes to lead. 

A. Sulphate of soda and sulphate of magnesia. 

21. Q,. What is the treatment proper for cases 
of poisoning by lead 7 

A. A weak solution of Glauber's or Epsom salts 
to be drank very freely for the purpose of vomiting 
and purging, as well as to neutralize the poison. 
Inflammatory symptoms to be afterwards subdued 
in the usual manner. 

22. CI. What are the chemical tests of lead? 
A. I. All the preparations of lead are easily 

reduced to the metallic state by calcination with 
charcoal. 

2. The acetate of lead, dissolved in water, is 
precipitated white by sulphuric acid. 

3. By chromate of potash and chromic acid, it 
is precipitated of a canary-yellow color. 

4. By sulphuretted hydrogen and the hydrosul- 
phurets, a black precipitate. 

5. By sulphate of soda, a white precipitate. 

6. Gallic acid gives a yellowish-white precipitate. 

23. d. What preparation of mercury is gener- 
ally used as a poison ? 

A. The muriate of mercury, or corrosive sub- 
limate. 

24. Q. What are the symptoms of poisoning by 
corrosive sublimate ? 

A. An acrid, astringent, metalic taste in the 
mouth ; stricture and burning in the throat ; anx- 
iety and rending pains in the stomach and intes- 
tines ; nausea and vomiting, which is sometimes 
bloody ; diarrhoea, sometimes dysentery ; pulse 



242 

small, hard, and frequent ; fainting ; great pros- 
tration of strength ; difficulty of breathing ; cold 
sweats ; cramps in the limbs ; insensibility con- 
vulsions and death, 

25. Q,. What are the appearances on dissection? 
A. Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, 

sometimes ending in gangrene. 

26. Q,. What is the antidote to corrosive subli- 
mate ? 

A. Albumen or the whites of eggs. — Lately 
wheat flour has been recommended. 

27. Q. What is the treatment in cases of poi- 
soning by corrosive sublimate ? 

A. The whites of eggs to be mixed with water, 
and one given every two or three minutes to pro- 
mote vomiting as well as to decompose the poison. 
Milk, sugar and water, or water to be taken liber- 
ally at the same time. Symptoms of inflammation 
to be overcome by venesection, <S&c. 

28. d. What are the chemical tests of corrosive 
sublimate 1 

A. J . By mixing corrosive sublimate with char- 
coal and water, and subjecting it to heat in a close 
vessel, metallic mercury is obtained. 

2. By exposing it to heat without any admixture 
in a glass tube, it will be sublimed, and found lin- 
ing the top of the tube in the form of a white shin- 
ing crust. 

3. By ammonia, a white precipitate is produced. 

4. Carbonate of potash causes a precipitate like 
brick dust. 

5. Caustic potash produces a yellow precipitate. 

6. Lime water produces an orange-colored pre- 
cipitate. 

7. Nitrate of silver occasions a white curdy pre- 
cipitate. 



243 

29. Q,. What are the symptoms of poisoning by 
opium 1 

A. Stupor, numbness, heaviness in the head, 
pupil of the eye dilated sometimes furious delirium, 
pain, convulsions of different parts of the body, or 
palsy of the limbs. The pulse is variable, but at 
first generally strong and full : the breathing is 
quick, and there is great anxiety, coma, death. 

30. Q. What is the treatment in cases of poi- 
soning by opium ? 

A. The stomach is first to be effectually evacu- 
ated, by emetics of tart, emetic or sulphate of zinc; 
large injections to clear the bowels, and assist in 
getting rid of the poisons. When as much of the 
poison as possible has thus been expelled, the pa- 
tient may drink, alternately, a tea cup full of 
strong hot infusion of coffee and vinegar diluted 
with water. If the drowsiness and insensibility 
bordering on apoplexy be not remedied by. these 
means, blood may be taken from the jugular vein, 
blisters may be applied to the neck and legs, and 
the attention roused by every means possible. If 
the heat declines, warmth and frictions must be 
perseveringly used. Vegetable acids are on no 
account to be given before the poison is expelled." 



BOERHAAVE. 

This celebrated physician and scholar ordered 
in his will, that all books and manuscripts should 
be burnt, one large volume with silver clasps ex- 
cepted. The physical people flocked to Leyden, 
entreating his executors to destroy his will. The 
effects were sold. A German count, convinced 
that the great gilt book contained the whole ar- 
canum of physic, bought it for ten thousand gu\U 



244 

ders. It was all blank but the first page, on which 
was written, " Keep the Head Cool, the Feet 
Warm, and the Body Open, and then bid defiance 
to the physician." 



" Dr. Rush, in that emphatic style, which is 
peculiar to himself, calls mercury the Sampson of 
medicine/' In his hands, and in those of his par- 
tisans, it may iudeed be compared to Sampson ; 
for I verily believe, they have slain more Ameri- 
cans with it than ever Sampson slew of the Philis- 
tines. The Israelite slew his thousands, but the 
Itushites have slain their tens of thousands. 



SODA. 



" Soda, or mineral alkali, as it has been denom- 
inated, in contradistinction to the other alkalies, 
which have been distinguished by the epithet of 
vegetable, exists in a constituent principle of sev- 
eral saline mineral substances, but it is usually ex- 
tracted from the combustion of marine plants. It 
is afforded by the combustion, combined with car- 
bonic acid, and associated with various other sa- 
line substances, and is obtained pure by the same 
general process as that applied to potash." 

From the above it is evident that soda is a min- 
eral, and of course contrary to man, who is com- 
posed of vegetables. It has long been settled in 
my mind, that minerals are unhealthy, and injuri- 
ous to man. Soda, and every kind of mineral wa- 
ter, is injurious. They are all cold and unheal- 
thy, whether artificial or from the springs. I have 
been at the springs in Saratoga and Ballstown, 
and drank the waters of each. They are cold, and 
contrary to nature, which is heat. Ice creams, ice 



245 



punch, and all such things are unhealthy. Those 
who make no use of them are the least gratified in 
taste, and most healthy. 



TARTAR EMETIC. 

Dr. Hooper says, this emetic "has been known 
to prove fatal to children," even when given in a 
small dose. " It is chiefly given in the beginning 
of fevers and febrile diseases ; when great debili- 
ty is present, and in the advanced stages of typ- 
hoid fever, its use is improper and even sometimes 
fatal. " From this account of the emetic tartar, it 
is evident that it is fatal medicine in many cases, 
and the best method to lessen its fatality, is to 
abandon its use altogether. 



METALIC MEDICINE, OR POISON. 

Sulphuric Acid, Oil of Vitriol, Silver, Gold, 
Bismuth, Carbonate, Zinc, Copper, Iron, Mercu- 
ry, or Quicksilver, Nitre, or Salt Petre, Oxide of 
Arsenic, Red Lead, Lead, Tin, the filings and 
powder ; Verdigris, Blue Vitriol, Flower of Sul- 
phur, Diluted Vitriolic Acid, Spirit of Nitre, Ni- 
trous Acid, Aqua Fortis, Strongest common Caus- 
tic, Liver of Sulphur, Sulphuret Antimony, Glass 
of Antimony, Golden Sulphur of Antimony, Anti- 
monial Powder, Butter of Antimony, Emetic Tar- 
tar, Panacea of Antimony, Nitrate of Silver, Lu- 
nar Caustic, Ammoniacal Copper, Purified filings 
of Iron, Purified Iron Scales, Rust of Iron, Salt of 
Steel, Purified Quicksilver, Corrosive Sublimate, 
Calomel, White Precipitate of Mercury, Red Pre- 
cipitate of Mercury, JEthiops Mineral, White Vi- 
triol, Arsenical Solution, Copper Pills^ Pills of 



246 

Quicksilver, Pills of Iron with Myrrh, Compound 
Liniment of Quicksilver, Ointment of White Ox- 
ide of Lead, White Ointment, Ointment of Quick- 
silver, Ointment of Verdigris, Plaster of Quick- 
silver, Plaster of Red Oxide of Iron, or Strength- 
ening Plaster. 

In addition to these minerals, there are several 
vegetable poisons given to the sick as medicine. 
The following are among the many : — 

Deadly Night Shade, Garden Hemlock, Thorn 
Apple, or Apple Peru, Foxglove, Black Helle- 
bore, Black Henbane, Tobacco, White Poppy, 
American Nightshade, Garget, Poison Vine, 
Poison Oak, Poison Creeper, Wild Indigo, Indigo 
Weed, White Hellebore, Poke Root, Indian 
Poke, &>c. 

These are few of the many minerals and poison- 
ous vegetables, which, in our country, and in vari- 
ous parts of the world, are given to the sick and 
wounded without their knowing what is given, or 
what are their effects, until often it is too late. — 
Can any man of common sense suppose, that such 
things as these can be good for the sick, when 
they are extremely injurious to the healthy? These 
things, Dr. Thatcher and others, rank among the 
articles called 6 Materia Medica,' or articles em- 
ployed as remedies, in sickness. 



MEDICAL LECTURES. 

The following took place in Boston, in the 
year 1822, or near that time, and ought to be left 
on long record, for the generations yet unborn : — 

A gentleman authorises us to state, for the in- 
formation of those of his fellow citizens who are 
s little experienced as himself in the science of 



247 

anatomy, that he, with several other persons visit- 
ed a chamber in Market Street, a few days since, 
and were much surprised with what was, to them, 
a novel exhibition. Human bodies, sacrilegiously 
stolen at midnight from the grave, in various stag- 
es of putrefaction, and exhibiting various opera- 
tions of the dissecting knife, filled the atmosphere 
of the room, with the most nauseous exhalations. 
On one end of a table lay a body, dismembered of 
its limbs ; on another, the head, robbed of its con- 
tents, was placed as if to gaze in mockery at the 
mutilated trunk, which it had once surmounted. 
Arms, legs, feet, ears, heart, liver, and lights of 
human beings, apparently of all sizes, from six 
inches to six feet in length, male and female, were 
scattered in profusion and disorder about the 
room. Here was a bowl containing brains of some 
new laid corpse, and there a tub filled with "guts 
and garbage," while on a slow consuming fire, 
were laid the parts for which there was no further 
use, frying in their own fat and marrow. The 
furniture was besmeared with blood and filth, and 
every nauseating substance belonging to such an 
establishment,without regard to decency and clean- 
liness. The slaughter houses at Brighton and 
Cambridge, where cattle and sheep are butchered 
by hundreds, are perfumed palaces compared with 
this school of anatomy ! 

The gentleman who communicated these particu- 
lars and requests their publication, has left his 
name, which is at the service of any one who may 
doubt the correctness of the representation. 

On the above we have only to remark, that the 
scene which has thus excited the horror and in- 
dignation of an individual, is not a novelty in this 
city. Ten years ago, we attended a part of a 
24 



24& 

course oi lectures, where similar objects of disgust 
were so numerous and offensive, that we have 
never thought of it since, without loathing. The 
establishment in Market street, to which our in- 
formant alludes, is not the only one of the kind of 
which this metropolis can boast. There are, or 
have been, several of the kind. Dissections of the 
human body, are undoubtedly serviceable to medi- 
cal science ; but whether more is not lost to hu- 
manity than is gained for science by the practice, 
we think, is a question, which is, at least, deserv- 
ing of consideration. 



GALENIC MEDICINE. 

" That practice of medicine which conforms to 
the rules of Galen, and runs much upon multiply- 
ing herbs and roots in the same composition, 
though seldom torturing them any otherwise than 
by decoction. It is opposed to chemical medicine, 
which by force of fire, and a great deal of art, fetch- 
es out the virtues of bodies, chiefly mineral, into a 
small compass." — Hooper, 

In the above may be seen the difference be- 
tween the medicine used by Galen, and that 
which is improperly called medicine in our day. 
Galen considered herbs and roots to be medicine ; 
now minerals are called medicine, Galen taught to 
compound herbs and roots, though they might be 
bulky. Modern medicine by art, is brought into 
a small compass, and but a few drops must be 
given at a time, as a large quantity would bring 
on immediate death. Medicine opposite to what 
Galen used, is now reduced by art to so small a 
quantity, that a country doctor does not need a 
pair of saddle bags larger than two coat pockets, 



249 

to carry medicine enough to kill or cure all he 
may be called to visit for a considerable time. — 
" This their way is their folly, yet their children 
approve their sayings like sheep." When one goes 
forward the others follow, whether into a pit or 
pasture. 



CALOMEL. 



The following Hymn on Calomel, is to be sung 
on certain occasions. As the following : 

1st. When any one or more are convinced of its 
dangerous and ruinous nature, when applied under 
the name of medicine, so as never to use it. 

2d. When any one has taken it until his teeth 
are loose, rotten, or have come out. 

3r/. When it has so cankered their mouths, that 
they cannot eat their food. 

4th. When it has swelled their tongues out of 
their mouths, so that they could not shut their 
month for sometime. 

5lh. When it has caused blindness, and partial 
or total loss of sight. 

6th. When it has caused large sores on their 
legs, feet, arms, or. any part of the body. 

1th. When it has caused palsy , epilepsy , cramp, 
or any other distressing complaint. When cured 
of any or all these difficulties, this is to be sung by 
all such, and as many others as may join heartily 
in puting down Calomel. At the close of the hymn 
let some one of the singers repeat aloud — Amen. 

Tune Old Hundred — very grave. 

Physicians of the highest rank, 
(To pay their fees, we need a bank,) 
Combine all wisdom, art and skill, 
Science and sense, in Calomel. 



250 

Howe'er their patients may complain, 
Of head, or heart, or nerve, or vein, 
Of fever high, or parch, or swell, 
The remedy is Calomel. 

When Mr. A, or B. is sick — 
" Go fetch the doctor, and be quick" — 
The doctor comes, with much good will, 
But ne'er forgets his Calomel. 

lie takes his patient by the hand, 
And compliments him as a friend ; 
He sets a while his pulse to feel, 
And then takes out his Calomel. 

He then turns to the patient's wife, 
*' Have you clean paper, spoon and knife ? 
I think your husband might do well 
To take a dose of Calomel. 

He then deals out the precious grains — 
t4 This Ma'am, I'm sure will ease his pains ; 
Once in three hours, at sound of bell, 
Give him a dose of Calomel." 

He leaves his patient in her care, 
And bids good bye with graceful air ; 
In hopes bad humors to expel, 
She freely gives the Calomel, 

The man grows worse, quite fast indeed" — - 
" Go call for counsel — ride with speed" — 
The counsel comes, like post with mail, 
Doubling the dose of Calomel. 

The man in death begins to groan — 
The fatal job for him is done ; 



251 

His soul is wing'd for heaven or hell- 
A sacrifice to Calomel. 

Physicians of my former choice, 
Receive my counsel and advice ; 
Be not offended though I tell 
The dire effects of Calomel. 

And when I must resign my breath, 
Pray let me die a natural death, 
And bid you all a long farewell, 
Without one dose of Calomel. 



THE DOCTORS BY DRYDEN. 

The reader is requested to commit the following to 
memory, " they may save him many a sick sto- 
mach, and headache, beside many a good dollaT 
in doctor's jeesT 

" Th' mineral doctors by debauch were made, 
Excess began, and sloth sustains the trade. 
By work our long lived fathers earn'd their food, 
Toil strung their nerves, and purified their blood ; 
But we their sons, a pamper'd race of men ; 
Are dwindled down to three score years and ten. 
Better work in field, for health unbought, 
Than fee the doctor for a poisonous draught, 
The wise for health on exercise depend ; 
God never made his works, for man to mend." 

24* 



252 
A PARODY. 

The doctors they cheat us, and do as they please ; 
They shut up their medicines, and hide all the keys — 
But we are determin'd, we'll hear it no more, 
And without their knowledge, burst open the door. 

With latin prescriptions, and letting of blood, 
They do all the people, with poverty flood ; 
Some bear it in silence, while others complain, 
And speak of all doctors, with perfect disdain. 

A plan is propos'd, which will ruin the trade, 
Of filling the stomach, with poison — their paid 
For this labor — but soon they will know, 
That with the wise people, their tricks will not go. 

The plan that's propos'd, 1 w T ill simply explain \ — 
And those who adopt it, will quickly attain 
To knowledge sufficient, to baffle all grief, 
And from all their pains, will find constant relief. 

Buy Smith's self-taught doctor, and study it well ; 
Of sickness and med'cines, it plainly doth tell ; 
And when you'r afflicted, with languor or pain, 
The dose it prescribes, will heal you again. 

Go learn of the beasts, who by nature are taught, 

To pluck from the earth, when disease they have caUght, 

Some simple production of nature, that's free 

From mercury, and nitre, as all will agree. 

Like them, take the physic that nature holds out ; 
It will cure the fever, the cholic, or gout ; 
It injures not teeth, neither weakens a limb, 
But, puts hones and muscles, in excellent trim. 

Do this, and no doctors will plague you with duns, 
Nor take off your purse, that with change overuns — 
But health and contentment, with plenty and peace, 
Shall be thy companions, as in age you increase. 



253 

HEALTH. 

This word originally meant soundness of the 
whole man ; or the whole body so completely bal- 
anced in every part, as to be wholly at ease, while 
walking, sitting, lying down, sleeping, laboring or 
standing still. Many call themselves healthy, or 
well, who are far from it as it respects the whole 
man. Some have a good appetite ; but are pain- 
ed in the head, limbs or some particular part. — 
Some live to old age, labor much, and yet are 
never well, they never eat in pleasure. 

There was once an order of men called Hy- 
gienistes, " physicians who only attend people in 
health, to prevent diseases. The temperament, 
the constitution, the air, the food, the habitations, 
the changes in the functions of the body, and those 
form different ages, seasons, and climates was the 
objects of their attention.'' Should such an order 
of men be now raised up, who understood this bu- 
siness of attending the healthy to keep them so ; 
it would not be long before the inhabitants of the 
United States would be as healthy as the red men 
of the west, who from early life have such physi- 
cians to attend them. Were this done, the num- 
ber of deaths among children would be few com- 
pared to what it is now. 

Many rules have been published to preserve 
health or restore it, and all without much benefit. 
The fact is, no particular rules can be attended 
too, as to health. Some need more food than oth- 
ers, some more drink, some more rest, some less, 
some no meat, some almost wholly meat. " One 
man eateth meat, another herbs. Let not him 
that eateth meat, judge him that eateth herbs ; let 
not him that eateth herbs, judge him that eateth 



254 

meat." Some require much more sleep than oth- 
ers, so of exercise, rest, &c. 

Temperance in all things ; not only drink but 
in food, exercise, rest, sleep, &c. is the great 
standard of health. A man cannot be healthy, 
who eats or drinks beyond a medium ; nor can 
he be healthy if he starve himself, as a grahamite, 
or on any other account. Some to be healthy 
have done without vegetables, these conduce more 
to health than any food a man can eat ; notwith- 
standing all the mineral doctors say against them. 
Look at the lambs, calves, and every creature that 
lives on vegetables, see them in June, how heal- 
thy, and thrifty they appear ! "Ask the beast, and 
they will tell thee." 

People who accustom themselves to live chiefly 
on milk, bread and other vegetables, are uniform- 
ly the most healthy, and live the longest, and the 
most free from gout, rheumatism, humors, and a 
long list of complaints caused by drinking soda, 
mineral water s, bein g often bled, blistered, setoned, 
leached, and poisoned within and without. 

From early life to the present, my food has been 
plain, consisting chiefly of milk, bread, and vege- 
tables. A little meat in the morning is generally 
all my stomach craves. In my whole life T have 
never been confined to my house by sickness, ex- 
cepting two weeks at one time. I am now sixty 
eight years old, lacking three months. The rheu- 
matism or gout has never made an attact upon 
my system. A bone has not been broken, nor a 
joint moved out of its place. My hearing is the 
same as in early life, and I can read or write in 
the day time without glasses. My health- is good 
enough at present, [March 6, 1S37.] Vegetable 
medicines, have always relieved me soon, whenun- 



255 

well. These I recommend to others, as safe and 
certain. 

My mind is fully expressed in the words of 
Celsus, an ancient physician, with respect to the 
preservation of health. 

" A man, he says, who is blest with good health, 
should confine himself to no particular rules, with 
respect to regimen or medicine. He ought fre- 
quently to diversify his manner of living ; to be 
sometimes in the town, sometimes in the country ; 
to hunt, sail, indulge himself in rest, but more fre- 
quent to use exercise. He ought to refuse no kind 
of food that is commonly used, but sometimes to 
eat more, and sometimes less ; sometimes to make 
one at an entertainment, and sometimes to forbear 
it ; to make rather two meals a day than one, and 
always to eat heartily, provided he can digest it. 
He should be careful in time of health, not to de- 
stroy, by excesses of any kind, that vigour of con- 
stitution which should support him under sick- 
ness." 

This question is often put to me by the sick I 
attend. '_'. What kind of food and drink must i 
take ■?" My answer uniformly is, that which tastes 
well, and sets well on the stomach. Eat and drink 
of such kinds, often and as much as does you good. 

Extract from the writings of John Wesley. 

The healing art was first brought into use in a 
very natural and simple manner. In the earliest 
age of the world, mankind, by various experiments, 
or accidents, discovered that certain plants, roots, 
and barks, possessed medicinal propet ties. These 
were found sufficient to remove their diseases. 
The application of these remedies were plain and 



256 

easy ; but in process of time, many began to make 
a profession of medicine, and to strip it of its sim- 
plicity ; they began to inquire into the operation 
of such remedies, why and how they performed 
such cures ; they examined the human frame in 
all its parts ; the nature of the flesh, arteries, 
nerves ; the structure of the brain, heart, lungs, 
stomach, bowels, &,c. with the springs of the sev- 
eral animal functions. They explored the several 
kinds of animal and mineral, as well as vegetable 
substances. And hence, the whole order of phy- 
sic was subverted, and founded upon hypothesis; 
they formed theories of diseases, and their cures, 
and substituted these in place of experiments. 

As theories increased, simple medicines were 
more and more disregarded, and disused ; till in a 
course of years, the greater part of them were 
forgotten, at least in the more .polite nations. In 
the room of these, abundance of new ones were 
introduced, by reasoning and speculative men ; 
and those more and more difficult to be applied, 
as being more remote from common observation. 
Hence rules for the application of these, and me- 
dical books were immensely multiplied ; till at 
length physic became an abtruse science, quite 
out of the reach of ordinary men. Physicians 
now began to be held in admiration, as persons 
who were something more than human. And pro- 
fit attended their employ, as well as honor. So 
that they had now two weighty reasons for keep- 
ing the bulk of mankind at a distance, that they 
might not pry into the mysteries of their profes- 
sion. To this end they increased those difficul- 
ties, by design, which were in a manner by acci- 
dent. They filled their writings with an abun- 
dance of technical terms utterly unintelligible to 



257 

plain men. They affected to deliver their rules, 
and to reason upon them, in an abtruse and phi- 
losophical manner. They represented the criti- 
cal knowledge of anatomy, natural philosophy, 
(and what not?) Some of them insisting on that 
of astronomy, and astrology too, as necessary pre- 
vious to the understanding of the art of healing. 

Those who understood only how to restore the 
sick to health, they branded with the name of 
Empirics. They introduced into practice abun- 
dance of compound medicines, consisting of so 
many ingredients that it was scarce possible for 
common people to know which it was that 
wrought a cure. Abundance of exotics, neither 
the nature nor the names of which their own 
countrymen understood. Of chemicals, such as 
they neither had skill nor fortune, nor time to pre- 
pare ; yea, and of dangerous ones, such as they 
could not use without hazarding life, but by the 
advice of a physician. And thus both their hon- 
or and gain were secured, a vast majority of man- 
kind being utterly cut off from helping, either them- 
selves or their neighbors, or once daring to at- 
tempt it. Yet there has not been wanting from 
time to time, some lovers of mankind, who have 
endeavoured, (even contrary to their own interest,) 
to reduce physic to its ancient standard ; who 
have labored to explode out of it all hypothesis 
and fine spun theories, and to make it a plain, in- 
telligible thing, as it was in the beginning, having 
no more mystery in it than this, "such a medi- 
cine removes such a pain." These have demon- 
strably shown that neither the knowledge of as- 
trology, astronomy, natural philosophy, nor even 
anatomy itself, is absolutely necessary to the quick 
and effectual cure of most diseases incident to the 



258 

human body. Nor yet any chemical, or exotic, 
or compound medicine, but a simple plant or root 
duly applied, so that every man of common sense, 
(in ordinary cases,) may prescribe to himself, or 
his neighbor ; and may be very secure from doing 
harm, even where he can do no good. Even to 
the last age there was something of this kind 
done, particularly by Dr. Sydenham. And in the 
present, of his pupil. Dr. Dover, who has pointed 
out simple medicines for many diseases. And 
some such may be found in the writings of the 
learned and ingenious Dr. Cheyne, who doubtless 
would have communicated many more to the 
world, but for the melancholy reason he gave to 
one of his friends, that pressed him with some 
passages in his works, which too much counte- 
nanced the modern practice — <c O sir, we must do 
something to oblige the faculty, or they will tear 
us in pieces." 



Regimen of Health, Temperance and Sobriety. 

Now a days instead of water (which was the 
greatest part of the drink in the antedeluvian 
world, and very congenial to the temper of man) 
we drink brandy, usquebah, aqua vitae ; which are 
pernicious drinks, if commonly used. They de- 
stroy the calidum innatum — innate heat — prey 
upon the roscid juice, change the natural tone of 
the stomach, the texture of the body, and the era- 
sis of the parts. Hence come atrophies, the im- 
becility of the nerves, and trepidation of our mem- 
bers ; which is effected by disorderly motions of 
the animal spirits, being impulsed and agitated 
preter naturally by the spirits of strong liquors. — 
Wine is an excellent liquor, if moderately used. 



259 

It is a great refresher of decayed nature ; fortifies 
the stomach, strengthens the natural heat, helps 
digestion, carries the food to all the parts, cheers 
the heart, and wonderfully refreshes the spirits. 

The ancients called it lac senum— the milk of 
old men ; but by modern practice it is found, that 
if they suck too much of it, it will make them chil- 
dren. 

Nothing can be of worse consequence to any, 
than the constant and immoderate use of it. 

Sobriety is that which will secure you against 
all distempers, and makes your 'life pleasant to 
you ; for the harvest of diseases arises from the 
seeds of intemperance. 

By sobriety, there is a good and perfect concoc- 
tion made. The meat you eat, when it is well 
elaborated and transmuted in such a manner as is 
proper for each digestion, then a good habit of 
body is established ; the mass of blood has its pure 
tincture ; all the liquors of the body have their pe- 
culiar properties suitable to the intention of na- 
ture. But if the crasis of the parts be perverted 
by intemperance, then the alimentary juices de- 
generate from their purity ; the mass of blood and 
the nervous liquor are depraved, and the whole ha- 
bit of the body disordered. 

Abstinence plucks up the cause of all diseases 
by the roots. In the inward veins it takes away 
the butomia, which is caused by the ill disposition 
of the stomach; and that melancholy humor which 
is seated in the tunicles thereof, and reduces the 
natural temper to a just mediocrity. 

By temperance men shut up their days, like a 
lamp, only by a pure consumption of the radical 
moisture, without grief or pain. 

If the world consists of order/if our life depends 
25 



260 

on the hnrmony of humors, it is no wonder that 
order should preserve, and disorder destroy. 

A spare and simple diet contributes to the pro* 
longation of life. 

Magiera piu chy anco mangia — He that will 
eat mucky let him eat little — because by eating lit- 
tle he prolongs his life, and so eats much. 

If you will have a constant vigorous health, a 
perpetual spring of youth, use temperance. 



" MONSTROUS LITTLE PHYSIC. 

The reader may smile to see such a curious 
combination of words as '* monstrous little, es- 
pecially when he is told that it is quoted from a 
work no less dignified than the British Medico- 
Chirurgical Review, and was penned by one of 
the best scholars in Great Britain. But he would 
weep rather than laugh, if he knew one tenth of 
the evils which the learned doctor had in his 
mind, when he made such a " monstrous" expres- 
sion. 

He was investigating the causes why the lives 
of medical men, in consequence of evils incident 
to their profession, are not shortened more than 
they are. It does not appear that their average 
longevity is less than that of men of most other 
professions. Out of S50 physicians, M. du Bois 
finds 365 reached the age of 70 and upwards. — 
Perhaps, says our author of the Medico- Chirurgi- 
cal Review, it is because the physician " takes 
monstrous little physic." 

It is a common opinion, we know, as we ob- 
served in our last number, that physicians owe 
their escape from disease, especially in times of 
great sickness, to the fact that they have medicine 



261 

about them, and can take it in a seasonable man- 
ner. 

Yet nothing is better known than that — so far 
at least as the immediate friends of physicians 
can discover — there are no persons so much op- 
posed to taking medicine themselves as physicians 
are. 

The truth is, that physicians, as a body, do in- 
deed take -* monstrous little physic, " or medicine. 
They know enough to let it alone. And they only 
give it to others as a last resort — as a choice of 
evils. 

It is curious to observe how this matter stands. 
The young and inexperienced practitioner, espe- 
cially if wanting in common sense and real know- 
ledge of the human constitution, gives a great deal 
of medicine. But as he grows wiser from experi- 
ence — not from years, for there are some physi- 
cians, as well as other men, to whom age never 
gives wisdom — he gives less and less medicine. — 
Go to some of our oldest and wisest and most trus- 
ty physicians, and ascertain, if you can, the state 
of the case ; and our word is for it, they give not 
one fourth the medicine that young men do. Go 

to but we will not call names ; it is sufficient 

to say that our wisest physicians not only take but 
give " monstrous little physic." 

Let those of you who are living on the apothe- 
cary shop, learn a lesson from these hints. Or 
will you continue to dabble with medicine till you 
break down what of your constitution now re- 
mains ? If you really wish for exemption from dis- 
ease, our advice is, to take " monstrous little phy- 
sic.'' — Library of Health. 

Remarks on the above. 
It is generally understood that those called re- 



262 

gular doctors, take bat little physic, or poison un- 
der the name of medicine. Were people general- 
ly as cautious of taking mercury as the doctors 
are, they might be as healthy, and live as long. 

I once attended a doctor's widow, who had been 
greatly injured by taking mercury and other min- 
erals. She stated to me the following — "When I 
was sick, said she, or the child, my husband was 
always ready to give us medicine ; but when he 
was sick, he would not take any. I asked him 
why he gave us medicine when sick ; and would 
not take the same when he was sick ? His reply 
was, that he knew what it was." 

An old physician in ■ who was not altogeth- 
er in favor of mercury, once said, " a certain 
young doctor is sick, and I believe him an honest 
man, for he takes the same medicines he gives to 
his patients, but I think he will die." 

One sick woman said to a Botanic Doctor, < c 1 
like such a doctor, for he gives but little medicine, 
and sometimes not any; and when he does so, peo- 
ple get well the sooner. 55 The meaning of all this 
appears to be, the less poison a sick man takes, 
the sooner he will be a well man.. 

A certain woman in was sick of a fever, 

and sent for her minister, (who was a Botanic 
Physician) to pray with her. Entering her room, 
he observed a large phial of Laudinum standing 
on the table. She told him she wished him to 
pray for her. What said he do you wish me to 
pray for ? "That the Lord would bless the means 
used for my recovery." That said he I cannot do, 
for there is laudinum enough in that phial, to kill 
you and all your family, if taken at once. Well 
said she, " pray that 1 may again be restored to 
health." 



263 

The sick have sometimes told me that their 
doctor said " they were not the subject of medi- 
cine." If the sick are not subjects of medicine, 
who are 1 " The whole need not a physician, but 
they that are sick." The fact was in my mind, 
that they had taken so much minerals that more 
would ruin them. 

How many objects of wretchedness have I seen 
in consequence of taking what the mineral doctors 
will not take themselves 1 

A man once put this question to a doctor — 
j? Doctor will that cure a sick man, that will kill 
a well rat ] No, said he, any one may know that. 
Then said the man, why do you give to the sick 
mineral and vegetable poisons ? I do not, said he. 
Do others ? " Yes, said he, these are the main 
things given the sick in this town. I can shew 
men and women hobbling about the streets, neith- 
er dead nor alive, and wholly ruined by .these 
things*' 5 



A NEW ASSOCIATION PROPOSED. 

Self- Examining Society. 

Among the many societies established in our 
country to extend the principles of Christanity, 
and to improve the morals of the people at large, 
it is a subject of deep regret, that while so lauda- 
ble a deed is manifested, and so much pains taken 
to remove the mote out of our neighbor's eye, there 
should be no society formed, no pains taken, to 
induce men first to cast the beam out of their own ; 
or, in other words, a society whose end and aim 
should be to examine our own hearts and lives, and 
see if we ourselves are not guilty of some habits 
and vices that need reform, which are equally as 
•25* 



264 

bad as those which we are so ready to discover in 
our neighbors. This society, it would seem, ought 
to take the lead of all others ; and it should be the 
first object of our exertions to suppress the vices 
and follies of mankind. ''Physician heal thyself," 
is an admonition coming from the highest author- 
ity, and is as applicable to the Scribes and Phar- 
isees now, as it was eighteen hundred years ago. 
Did the members of our popular societies, as well 
as others, take half the pains to examine them- 
selves, and correct their own faults, that they do 
to hunt up and expose the faults and follies of oth- 
ers, how much more like christians would they 
act ? How much more happy and peaceable would 
be the condition of every community and neigh- 
borhood ? And were a society for self-examination 
once instituted, in this, or any other place, and 
made as popular as our temperance societies, and 
many others now are, how much less running to 
and fro, or of numbers standing in the corners of 
the streets, thanking God that they are not like 
other men, should we behold ? 

The Constitution. Art. 1. This Society shall 
be known by the name of the Self-examining 
Society, and shall be composed of members of 
both sexes, whose minds and hearts are capable 
of moral improvement. 

Art. 2. The object of this Society shall be, while 
we may see all others' faults, to feel and correct 
our own. To suppress all manner of deceit and 
hypocrisy, slander and defamation, backbiting 
and evil speaking, with all that tends to injure or 
defraud our neighbor, either of his property or 
character. 

Art. 3. This Society shall be independent of all 
other societies, each member shall be vested with 



265 

full powers and privileges to attend to his own 
concerns, and he shall make it his duty to mind 
his own business and let others alone. And no 
Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Secretaries, Spies, 
Informers, Committees nor Delegates, shall ever 
be chosen by this Society to watch over the con- 
duct of others, or make reports of their neighbor's 
misdoings, until such a work of charity shall have 
been begun at home. 

Art. 4. There shall be no public or private 
meetings of this Society on any appointed days, to 
manage their concerns, or to hear lectures deliver- 
ed before it ; but it shall be the duty of every mem- 
ber to meet himself alone every day, and listen to 
the lectures of his own conscience. 

Art. 5. No money shall be raised from time to 
time, for funds to support this Society, nor to cir- 
culate self-examining almanacs, or to the ministers 
or lawyers for delivering addresses, to convince us 
how much easier it is to examine others, than it is 
to examine ourselves. 

Art. 6. Every member of the Society shall pay 
due regard to temperance in eating and drinking, 
and in every thing else. But he shall be his own 
judge what he shall eat, and what he shall drink, 
and where withal he shall be clothed — while glut- 
tony, and drunkenness, and tight-lacing, shall be 
left to the gnawings of conscience, and a con- 
sumption, with all the popular reproach they de- 
serve, without the benefit of the clergy, or the votes 
or lectures of a temperance society. 

Art. 7. Every thing shall be called by its right 
name; men shall not put bitter for sweet, nor 
sweet for bitter, nor call for beer when they mean 
rum, nor for cider or wine, when they mean bran- 
dy or gin. And no innkeeper shall put new wine 



266 

into old bottles of French brandy, for the use of 
his temperance customers ; and no grocer or mer- 
chant shall sell preparations of whiskey for Mala- 
ga or Madeira wine, or St. Croix rum. 

Art. 8. Every member of this Society shall be 
allowed to drink tea or coffee, cold water or but- 
termilk, or lemonade, as suits him best, or to chew 
or smoke tobacco, or take snuff, when not offen- 
sive to the company he is in, without being ex- 
communicated fiom good society, or delivered over 
to the buffeting of the Pharisees. 

Art. 9. No member of the Society shall ever 
set himself up above his fellows, or seek to estab- 
lish his own character and consequence by black- 
ening his neighbor's good name, thinking to make 
his own appear whiter ; but it shall be the duty 
of every one to examine their own hearts and dis- 
positions, and set a double guard against the sin 
that most easily beset themselves. 

Art. 10. This Society shall form no Christian 
party in politics, and no political party under the 
name of the Self-Examining Society. It shall 
have nothing to do with Masonry or Anti-Mason- 
ry, Colonization or anti-Slavery, Missionary, Bi- 
ble, or Tract Societies, as being in any manner 
connected with it ; nor shall any religious creed, 
test, or inquisition, council, or synod, ever be es- 
tablished or countenanced by this society ; but 
every member shall enjoy his own religion, and 
allow to all others the same liberty he claims for 
hjmself, without being pointed at as a heretic, or 
branded as an infideL 

Art. 11. Good society shall not be exclusively 
formed out of the aristocracy of wealth, nor made 
out of the popularity of swindling speculators, or 
of civil or religious professions. It shall include 



267 

the poor who are honest intelligent, and industri- 
ous, as well as the rich. 

Art. 18k The members of this Society shall 
seek to do good and not evil, — love and not hate 
each other ; and when reviled they shall not revile 
again ; but they shall bear with the faults and in- 
firmities of others, knowing that they themselves 
are men of like passions and imperfections. They 
shall respect the virtues and talents of all men, 
nor shall that honor and deference be overlooked 
which is justly due to the working part of the 
community,— to the farmers and mechanics and 
to all whose honest labor is a public, as well as 
private benefit. 



A CONSULTATION OF PHYSICIANS. 

The late Bonnel Thornton, used frequently to 
entertain himself and his friends, at the expense 
of physicians, and conceived he had a right to do 
sa as he was bred to the medical profession. The 
formal wig (worn in olden time) was generally 
the object of his mirth. Mr. Thornton being 
once confined to bed by a fever, and his friends 
thinking he might never recover, urged him in- 
cessantly to call in the assistance of the faculty. 
Wearied with their importunities, he at length 
promised to have a consultation on a certain day, 
when (his friends attending) they found Mr. 
Thornton sitting upon his bed, with the curtains 
open, looking gravely at three tie wigs, placed in 
order upon blocks, between the bed posts. "What 
is the meaning of this V tl Why this is the con- 
sultation of Physicians," answered Mr. Thornton, 
" I know what I am about — it is allowed to be 
more than an even chance against a patient when 



2G8 

he calls in a consultation of periwigs. The sight 
of the doctor has cured many a patient, and the 
danger lies in the doctor's physic. Be at ease 
my friends, nature is the best physician ; the as- 
sistance she wants I shall give, and. save my mo- 
ney and my life." Thornton soon recovered, and 
for many years joined his friends in laughing at 
his consultation of physicians. 

REGULARS. 

1ft early life, the word regular, or regulars, great- 
ly alarmed me ; as they wore red coatSj and it was 
said "they would kill us all." After the first 
American war, the terror of the word disappeared ; 
and it became popular. Forty years ago, much 
was said of regular ministers, as some were thought 
irregular. The Newlights, Baptists, Methodists, 
fyc* were considered irregular; but the college 
ministers were the regular ordained ministers. — 
After some years, the Baptist and Methodist min- 
isters, put on the regular uniform, with Rev. A. 
M. V. D. M. D. D. &c. with their notes, and be- 
came all regular together. After a while, the Bap- 
tists divided, and then came up the regular Bap- 
tists, and others. 

Now another regular order has come up — ^reg- 
ular bred physicians" " Are you a regular bred 
physician?" If the answer is yes — Then some 
poison is good, if administered by a "regular, bred 
physician." Mercury may by such be safely giv- 
en, from one ounce to a pound ; if they are after- 
wards hung up by the heels, to bring it out of 
their mouths again, if it does not operate. What 
Wonders regular can do ! ! 



CURIOUS MEDICAL LAW. 

Calmut states in his dictionary of the Bible, that 



269 

there was once a law concerning medicines arid 
physicians to this amount. The government de- 
termined what medicines should be used, and how. 
If the physician administered according to law, 
though the sick died, the physician was justified 
in his conduct ; but if he administered contrary to 
law, if the sick was cured, the physician was hung* 
not for curing the sick, but for breaking the law* 



GRAINS OF PARADISE. 

This vegetable is but little known in this coun- 
try, though of great value, when properly prepar- 
ed and used by the sick and infirm. 

Dr. Parr, gives the following account of it in his 
Medical Dictionary, Vol. 2. p. 100. '« Paradisi 
Grana* Grains of Paradise, Amomum Grana 
Paradise, havf been supposed to be the seeds of 
the larger Cardamons, and called Maleguela, Ma- 
nigurua, and Cardamun Piperatum. They are 
brought from the East Indies, are angulars, of a 
reddish brown color without, and white within ; 
smaller thau pepper, in appearance resembling car- 
damon seeds. They grow in pods, in shape and 
size like unripe figs, divided interially into three 
cells, in each of which are two rows of seeds. — 
They join the flavor of cardamons to the pungen- 
cy of pepper ; but the latter pungency resides in 
their resin ; the distilled oil pos fc essing only their 
smell. These seeds are sometimes used instead 
of pepper, but more often employed to adulterate 
it. Their medical virtues are the same as the 
semina cardamoni, though they are rather more 
pungent." 

This vegetable is an excellent article for the 
sick ; and in many cases^ superior to American 



270 

or West India Cayenne, being much more mild, 
and diffusive, not causing pain, as West India 
Cayennes often does*. 

In giving emetics, this is preferable to any kind 
of cayenne, as the person seldom feels any pain 
in its operation. It is very good for preparing 
bathing drops for Rheumatism, swellings, &/C I 
have used it constantly for about three years, and 
find it always useful. 



GOLDEN SEAL. 

It is also called Yellow Root, Ground Rasp- 
bery, Indian Paint. This is found mostly in the 
western states. Dr. Howard gives the following 
account of it : 

" The golden seal is a powerful bitter tonic ; 
highly useful in all cases of debility and loss of 
appetite. It may be used alone or combined with 
other tonics. Very useful during recovery from 
fever ; in dispepsy, or any other complaint, to re- 
move the heavy, disagreeable sensation often pro 
duced by indigestible food, by taking a tea spoon- 
ful in hot water sweetened. 

A decoction of this golden seal is also a very 
valuable remedy for sore eyes, as well as all other 
local inflammations, externally applied. It is like- 
wise highly probable that it may be found useful 
as an external application to ulcers, as Raffi?ieque 
says, the Indians use it for sore legs, and many 
external complaints, as a topical tonic." 

For nearly twenty years I have made constant 
use of the golden seal, in cases of indigestion, cos- 
tiveness, dispepsy, pain in the stomach and bow- 
els, and have always found it an excellent medi- 
cine for old and young, male and female. 



271 

VENERIAL DISEASE. 

A description of this loathsome and terrible dis- 
ease, has been omitted in every edition of the 
" American Physician ^ previous to this. Regard 
for the wretched and miserable of my fellow citi- 
zens, has induced me to give a concise descrip- 
tion of it here. 

It is a most loathsome disease, extending more 
or less to every part of the system, and is a kind 
of poison or canker conveyed by contagion or ac- 
tual contact. 

There are several names given to it by different 
authors ; though it always is one thing, situated 
in different parts of the system, and making a dif- 
ferent appearance in different parts where it is 
seated. The following are some of the names by 
which it is called. Venereal, Gonorhoea, Glets, 
Buboes, Chancres, Lues, Clap, &c. These all 
originate from one general cause, and are only 
different parts of the same plant. Remove the 
root, and all will go with it. This disease is the 
punishment for the crime or sin committed, which 
produces the disease. One male and one female 
only, can never produce this disease. It is caus- 
ed by over action; though not always. It is gen- 
erally given by one to the other. Many virtuous 
women have taken it from wicked husbands, and 
some virtuous husbands from wicked wives. 

Whatever name this disease may be called, and 
in whatever part it may be seated, what will cure 
it in one place will cure it in another. In some 
stages of it, more must be done than in other 
states to cure. 

When a male takes the infection from a female, 
it sometimes makes its appearance in a few days, 
sometimes in a few weeks ; and sometimes notbe- 
26 



272 

fore several months. Dr. Bucan says it assumes 
a variety of different shapes. This disease is gen- 
erally the effects of unlawful connections, yet it is 
often communicated to the innocent as well as the 
guilty. Infants, nurses, midwives, and married 
women whose husbands lead dissolute lives, are of- 
ten affected with it, and frequently loose their lives 
by not being aware of their danger in due time. 

I shall now only mention a few things concern- 
ing this dreadful scourge of the guilty and some- 
times the innocent. It generally, at first makes 
an attack in one part, but is not long confined 
there. It affects the external and internal parts. 
I have seen it affect the head, the eyes, ears, nose, 
mouth, tongue, gums, throat, heart, lungs, liver, 
stomach, bowels, kidneys, water bladder, sinews, 
nerves, muscles, blood, the absorbent vessels cor- 
roding, and brings on general destruction through 
every part of the person affected with it, in its full 
reign, where it has taken possession. I have at- 
tended people with it, who had large sores in dif- 
ferent parts, from the crown of the head (o the 
sole of their feet. There are at this moment men 
who have taken the disease in early life, and who 
feel the effects of it through the whole of a long 
life ; nor is this the worst ofit ; they have married 
fine women while this disease was on them, which 
has been communicated to their wives, nor is this 
the end of it, their children were born with it, and 
thus the iniquity* of the father has been visited up- 
on the children, which will descend to the third 
or fourth generation. 

Some have told me that their children were 
troubled with humour in their faces, and other 
parts, and some have died with a disease they in- 
nocently received from wicked parents. I know 



273 

some young men, who have married with this dis- 
ease upon them, and the consequence is, their 
wives are unwell, and troubled with fluor albus, 
bearing down, irregular in the menses, flowing, 
distressing pain in the loins, back, kidneys, and 
contiually unhappy and wretched in every situa- 
tion in life. Young men in this situation, never 
ought to marry, until they know themselves entire- 
ly cured of this dreaded maledy. 

This disease may generally be cured, if attend- 
ed to in season ; but when the whole system is all 
on fire, it must be left to consume without remedy. 

In the course of twenty years I have attended 
a great number of males, and some females, 1 do 
not now recollect of undertaking any one, without 
affecting a cure, and many in a short time. 

The common course of giving mercury, or cor- 
rosive sublimate, never did nor never will cure. — 
It may attract the disease from one part of the 
body to another, but never did expel the dis- 
ease ; for Satan cannot cast out Satan, as it is 
canker of the worst kind, it must be cured by that 
which will remove the worst kind of canker from 
the whole man. 

One thing will drive it from the diseased, if at- 
tended too in season, that is the emetic and in- 
jection described in this work ; this I have prov- 
ed in very many cases, during a practice of twen- 
ty years. I have another preparation that is cer- 
tain to cure, if attended to in season and persever- 
ingly. It can be used with entire safety and suc- 
cess by male or female, without exposing their 
health in any way. It is so prepared, that a per- 
son may take it wherever he is. The directions 
are printed so plain that no one need make a mis- 
take in applying it. People send for it from vari- 



274 

ous parts of the country, and find that relief de- 
scribed in the directions. 

A few words more and this shall close for the present. 
It is an unpleasant task to me, to give this account of a 
disease so disgraceful, and yet common in our own coun- 
try, and in various parts of what is called the civilized 
world. My mind has been filled with astonishment to 
learn that so many are troubled with this disease through 
their own criminal conduct. Notwithstanding this, 1 
most heartily pity those who are by this made wretched. 

To young people, particularly young men, I have to 
say — avoid that road which leads to disgrace and ruin. 
Beware of those females whose houses are in the road to 
death, and whose steps take hold on hell. 

Solomon has given a most striking description of them, 
and their dwellings- — Proverbs ii. 16, — 18, " To deliver 
thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger 
which flattereth with her words ; which forsaketh the 
guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her 
God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths 
unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neith- 
er take they hold of the paths of life." Chap. v. 3 — 6, 
11 For the lips of a strange woman dropeth as a honey- 
comb, and her mouth is smoother than oil : But her end is 
bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. -Her 
feet goeth down to death ; her steps take hold on hell. 
Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are 
moveable, that thou canst not know them." Chap. vi. 
24—29 & 32, 33. " To keep from the evil woman, from 
the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lust not 
after her beauty in thy heart ; neither let her take thee 
with her eyelids. For by means of a whorish woman a 
man is brought to a piece of bread : and the adulteress will 
hunt for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his 
bosom, and his clothes not be burnt ? &c. And Chap. vii. 
5,-8, 10, & 21,-27. 

It is about certain, that there is many more bad men in 
the world than women, perhaps ten to one ; but when a 
woman is determined to be bad, she is worse than one 
hundred bad men, and can lead more to death and de- 
struction. The above description of a wicked woman, is 
enough to determine every rational man against the wick- 
edness of wretched women. 



275 



The Farewell Address of Gen. Andrew Jackson, to 
the People of these United States, on retiring to private 
life, is inserted here, with a desire that it may be handed 
down to the latest generations ; as the best counsel to the 
people, and best calculated, if attended to, to preserve our 
Independence, enjoy the Union of all the States, and to 
cause general prosperity, riches, and happiness to every 
part of this flourishing Country. Should a Foreign Pow- 
er ever conquer us ;-— Should men from among ourselves 
ever divide the States ; — Should we ever be in a state of 
Anarchy, it will be seen as the consequence of not attend" 
ing to the counsel and doctrine of our aged friend Andrew 
Jackson. 

"Whoever reads the u American Physician and Sick Man's 
Guide to Health,'" let him— also read attentively, the fol-* 
lowing Address, and the remarks which follow it. 

ELI AS SMITH. 

Boston, Mass. March 27, 1837. 



FAREWELL ADDRESS 

OF ANDREW JACKSON, TO THE PEOPLE OF 

THE UNITED STATES. 
Fellow Citizens: 

Being about to retire finally from public life I 
beg leave to offer my grateful thanks for the many 
proofs of kindness and confidence which I have re- 
ceived at your hands. It has been my fortune, in 
the discharge of public duties, civil and military, 
frequently -o have found myself in difficult and try- 
ing situations, where prompt decision and energet- 
ic action were necessary, and where the interests 
of the country required that high responsibilities 
should be fearless! v encountered : and it is with 
26* 



276 

the deepest emotions of gratitude that I acknow^ 
ledge the continued and unbroken confidence with 
which you have sustained me in every trial. My 
public life has been a long one, and I cannot hope 
that it has, at all times, been free from errors. But 
I have the consolation of knowing that, if mis- 
takes have been committed, they have not serious- 
ly injured the country I so anxiously endeavored 
to serve ; and at the moment when I surrender my 
last public trust, I leave this great people prospe- 
rous and happy ; in the full enjoyment of liberty 
and peace ; and honored and respected by every 
nation of the world. 

If my humble efforts have, in any degree, con- 
tributed to preserve to you these blessings, I have 
, been more than rewarded by the honors you have 
heaped upon me : and above all, by the generous 
confidence with which you have supported me in 
every peril, and with which you have continued to 
animate and cheer my path to the closing hour of 
my political life. The time has now come, when 
advanced age and a broken frame warn me to re- 
tire from public concerns ; but the recollection of 
the many favors you have bestowed upon me is 
engraven upon my heart, and I have felt that I 
could not part from your service without making 
this public acknowledgement of the gratitude I 
owe you. And if I use the occasion to offer to 
you the counsels of age and experience, you will, 
I trust receive them with the same indulgent kind- 
ness, which you have so often extended to me ; and 
will, at least, see in them an earnest desire to per- 
petuate, in this favored land, the blessings of liber- 
ty and equal laws. 

We have now lived almost fifty years under the 
constitution framed by the sages and patriots of the 



277 

revolution. The conflicts in which the nations of 
Europe were engaged during a great part of this 
period ; the spirit in which they waged war against 
each other ; and our intimate commercial connec- 
tions with every part of the civilized world, render- 
ed it a time of much difficulty for the government 
of the United States. We have had our seasons 
of peace and war, with all the evils which precede 
or follow a state of hostility with powerful nations. 
We encountered these trials with our constitution 
yet in its infancy, and under the disadvantages 
which a new and untried Government must always 
feel when it is called upon to put forth its whole 
strength without the lights of experience to guide 
it, or the weight of precedents to justify its mea- 
sures. But we have passed triumphantly through 
all these difficulties. Our constitution is no lon- 
ger a doubtful experiment ; and, at the end of 
nearly half a centray, we find that it has preserved 
unimpaired the liberties of the people, secured the 
rights of property, and that our country has im- 
proved and is flourishing beyond any former ex- 
ample in the history of nations. 

In our domestic concerns there is every thing to 
encourage us ; and if you are true to yourselves, 
nothing can impede your march to the highest 
point of national prosperity. The States which 
had so long been retarded in their improvement 
by the indian tribes residing in the midst of them, 
are at length relieved from the evil ; and this un- 
happy race — the original dwellers in our land — 
are now placed in a situation where we may well 
hope that they will share in the blessings of civili- 
zation, and be saved from that degradation and 
destruction to which they were rapidly hastening 
while they remained in the States ; and while the 



27$ 

safety and comfort of our own citizens have been 
greatly promoted by their removal, the philanthro- 
pist will rejoice that the remnant of that ill-fated 
race has been at length placed beyond the reach 
of injury or oppression, and that the paternal care 
of the General Government will hereafter watch 
over them and protect them. 

If we turn to our relations with foreign powers, 
we find our condition equally gratifying. Actuat- 
ed by the sincere desire to do justice to every na- 
tion, and to preserve the blessing of peace, our in- 
tercourse with them has been conducted on the 
part of this Government in the spirit of frankness, 
and I take pleasure in saying, that it has general- 
ly been met in a corresponding temper. Difficul- 
ties of old standing have been surmounted by 
friendly discussion, and the mutual desire to be 
just; and the claims of our citizens, which had 
been long withheld, have at length been acknow- 
ledged and adjusted, and satisfactory arrangements 
made for their final payment ; and with a limited, 
and I trust, a temporary exception, our relations 
with every foreign power are now of the most 
friendly character — our commerce continually ex- 
panding, and our flag respected in every quarter 
of the world. 

These cheering and grateful prospects, and these 
multiplied favors, we owe, under Providence, to 
the adoption of the Federal Constitution. It is 
no longer a question whether this great country 
can remain happy united, and flourish under our 
present form of government. Experience, the un- 
erring test of all human undertakings, has showed 
the wisdom and foresight of those who framed it; 
and has proved, that in the union of these States 
there is a sure foundation for die brightes thopes 



279 

of freedom, and for the happiness of the people. At 
every hazard, and by every sacrifice this Union 
must be preserved. 

The necessity of watching with jealous anxiety 
for the preservation of the Union, was earnestly 
pressed upon his fellow citizens by the Father of 
his country, in his farewell address. He has there 
told us that " while experience shall not have de- 
monstrated its impracticability, there will always be 
reason to distrust the patriotism of those who, in 
any quarter may endeavor to weaken its bonds," 
and he has cautioned us, in the strongest terms, 
against the formation of parties, on geographical 
discriminations, as one of the means which might 
disturb our union, and to which designing men 
would be likely to resort. 

The lessons contained in this invaluable legacy 
of Washington to his countrymen should be cher- 
ished in the heart of every citizen to the latest 
generation ; and perhaps, at no period of time 
could they be more usefully remembered than at 
the present moment. For when we look upon the 
scenes that are passing around us, and dwell upon 
the pages of his parting address, his paternal coun- 
sels would seem to be not merely the offspring of 
wisdom and foresight, but the voice of prophesy 
foretelling events and warning us of the evils to 
come. Forty years have passed since this imper- 
ishable document was given to his countrymen. 
The Federal Constitution was then regarded by 
him as an experiment, and he so speaks of it in his 
address ; but as an experiment upon the success of 
>hich the best hopes of his country depended, and 
\ive all know that he was prepared to lay down his- 
life, if necessary, to secure to it a full and fair tri- 
al. The trial has been made. It has succeeded 



280 

beyond the proudest hopes of those who framed 
it. Every quarter of this widely extended nation 
has felt its blessings and shared in the general pros- 
perity produced by its adoption. But amid this 
general prosperity and splendid success, the dan- 
gers of which he warned us are becoming every 
day more evident, and the signs of evil are suffi- 
ciently apparent to awaken the deepest anxiety in 
the bosom of the patriot. 

We behold systematic efforts publicly made to 
sow the seeds of discord between different parts of 
the United States, and to place party divisions di- 
rectly upon geographical distinctions ; to excite the 
south against the north, and the north against the 
south, and to force into the controversy the most 
delicate and exciting topics ; topics upon which 
it is impossible that a large portion of the Union 
can ever speak without strong emotion. Appeals, 
too, are constantly made to sectional interests, in 
order to influence the election of the Chief Magis- 
trate, as if it were desired that he should favor a 
particular quarter of the country, instead of fulfil- 
ing the duties of his station with impartial justice 
to all ; and the possible dissolution of the Union 
has at length become an ordinary and familiar 
subject of discussion. Has the warning voice of 
Washington been forgotten ? or have designs al- 
ready been formed to sever the Union ? Let it not 
be supposed that I impute to all of those who have 
taken an active part in these unwise and unprofit- 
able discussions, a want of patriotism or of public 
virtue. The honorable feeling of State pride, and 
local attachments, find a place in the bosoms of 
the most enlightened and pure. But while such 
men are conscious of their own integrity and hon- 
esty of purpose, they ought never to forget that the 



281 

citizens of other States are their political brethren ; 
and that, however mistaken they may be in their 
views, the great body of them are equally honest 
and upright with themselves. Mutual suspicions 
and reproaches may in time create mutual hostili- 
ty, and artful and designing men will always be 
found, who are ready to foment these fatal divi- 
sions, and to inflame the natural jealousies of dif- 
ferent sections of the country. The history of the 
world is full of such examples, and especially the 
history of republics. 

What have you to gain by division and dissen- 
sion ? Delude not yourselves with the belief that a 
breach once made may be afterwards repaired. — 
If the Union is once severed, the line of separation 
will grow wider and wider, and the controversies 
which are now debated and settled in the halls of 
legislation, will then be tried in fields of battle, and 
determined by the sword. Neither should you de- 
ceive yourselves with the hope, that the first line 
of separation would be the permanent one, and 
that nothing but harmony and concord would be 
found in the new associations formed upon the 
dissolution of this Union. Local interest would 
still be found there, and unchastened ambition. — 
And if the recollection of common dangers, in 
which the people of these United States stood side 
by side against the common foe ; the memory of 
victories won by their united valor ; the prosperi- 
ty and happiness they have enjoyed under the pre- 
sent constitution ; the proud name they bear as 
citizens of this great republic : if all these recol- 
lections and proofs of common interest are not 
strong enough to bind us together as one people, 
what tie will hold united the new divisions of em- 
pire, when these bonds have been broken and this 



282 

Union dissevered ? The first line of separation 
would not last for a single generation ; new frag- 
ments would be torn off; new leaders would spring 
up ; and this great and glorious republic would 
soon be broken into a multitude of petty States, 
without commerce, without credit, jealous of one 
another, armed for mutual aggression ; loaded 
with taxes to pay armies and leaders ; seeking aid 
against each other from foreign powers ; insulted 
and trampled upon by the nations of Europe, un- 
til harrassed with conflicts, and humbled and de- 
based in spirit, they would be ready to submit to 
the absolute dominion of any military adventurer, 
and to surrender their liberty for the sake of re- 
pose. It is impossible to look on the consequen- 
ces that would inevitably follow the destruction of 
this Government, and not feel indignant when we 
hear cold calculations about the value of the Union, 
and have so constantly before us a line of conduct 
so well calculated to weaken its ties. 

There is too much at stake to allow pride or pas- 
sion to influence your decision. Never for a mo- 
ment believe that the great body of the citizens of 
any State or States can deliberately intend to do 
wrong. They may, under the influence of tem- 
porary excitement or misguided opinions, commit 
mistakes ; they may be misled for a time by the 
suggestions of self interest ; but in a community 
so enlightened and patriotic as the people of the 
United States, argument will soon make them sen- 
sible of their errors ; and, when convinced, they 
will be ready to repair them. If they have no 
higher or better motives to govern them, they will 
at least perceive that their own interest requires 
them to be just to others as they hope to receive 
justice at their hands. 



283 

But in order to maintain the union unimpaired, 
it is absolutely necessary that the laws passed by 
the constituted authorities should be faithfully ex- 
ecuted in every part of the country, and that eve- 
ry good citizen should, at all times stand ready to 
put down, with the combined force of the nation, 
every attempt at unlawful resistance, under what- 
ever pretext it may be made, or whatever shape 
it may assume. Unconstitutional or oppressive 
laws may no doubt be passed by Congress, eith- 
er from erroneous views, or the want of due con- 
sideration ; if they are within the reach of judicial 
authority, the remedy is easy and peaceful ; and 
if, from the character of the law, it is an abuse of 
power not within the control of the judiciary, then 
free discussion and calm appeals to reason and to 
the justice of the people will not fail to redress the 
wrong. But until the law shall be declared void 
by the courts, or repealed by Congress, no indi- 
vidual, or combination of individuals, can be justi- 
fied in forcibly resisting its execution. It is im- 
possible that any Government can continue to ex- 
ist upon any other principles. It would cease to 
be a government, and be unworthy of the name, if 
it had not the power to enforce the execution of its 
own laws within its own sphere of action. 

It is true that cases may be imagined disclosing 
such a settled purpose of usurpation and oppres- 
sion, on the part of the Government, as would jus- 
tify an appeal to arms. These however, are ex- 
treme cases, which we have no reason to appre- 
hend in a Government where the power is in the 
hands of a patriotic people ; and no citizen who 
loves his country would, in any case whatever, re- 
sort to forcible resistance, unless he clearly saw 
that the time had come when a freeman should 
27 



284 

prefer death to submission ; for if such a struggle 
is once begun, and the citizens of one section of 
the country arrayed in arms against another in 
doubtful conflict, let the battle result as it may, 
there will be an end of the Union, and, with it, an 
end to the hopes of freedom. The victory of the 
injured would not secure to them the blessings of 
liberty ; it would avenge their wrongs, but they 
would themselves share in the common ruin. 

But the constitution cannot be maintained, nor 
the Union preserved in opposition to public feel- 
ing, by the mere exertion of the coercive powers 
confided to the General Government. The foun- 
dations must be laid in the affections of the peo- 
ple ; in the security it gives to life, liberty, character, 
and property, in every quarter of the country; and 
in the fraternal attachment which the citizens of 
the several States bear to one another as members 
of one political family, mutually contributed to 
promote the happiness of each other. Hence, the 
citizens of every State should studiously avoid ev- 
ery thing calculated to wound the sensibility or of- 
fend the just pride of the people of other States ; 
and they should frown upon any proceedings with- 
in their own borders likely to disturb the tranquili- 
ty of their political brethren in other portions of 
the Union. In a country so extensive as the Unit- 
ed States, and with pursuits so varied, the internal 
regulations of the several States must frequently 
differ from one another in important particulars ; 
and this difference is unavoidably increased by the 
varying principles upon which the American col- 
onies were originally planted, principles which 
had taken deep root in their social relations before 
the Revolution, and, therefore, of necessity influ- 
encing their policy since they became free and in- 



285 

dependent States. Bat each State has the un- 
questionable right to regulate its own internal con- 
cerns according to its own pleasure ; and while it 
does not interfere with the rights of the people of 
other States, or the rights of the Union, every State 
must be the sole judge of the measures proper to 
secure the safety of its citizens and promote their 
happiness ; and all efforts on the part of people of 
other States to cast odium upon their institutions, 
and all measures calculated to disturb their rights 
of property, or to put in jeopardy their peace and 
internal tranquility, are in direct opposition to the 
spirit in which the Union was formed, and must 
endanger its safety. Motives of philanthropy 
may be assigned for this unwarrantable interfer- 
ence ; and weak men may persuade themselves 
for a moment that they are laboring in the cause 
of humanity, and asserting the rights of the hu- 
man race ; but every one, upon sober reflection, 
will see that nothing but mischief can come from 
these improper assaults upon the feelings and rights 
of others. Rest assured, that the men found busy 
in this Work of discord are not worthy of your 
confidence, and deserve your strongest reproba- 
tion. 

In the legislation of Congress, also, and in eve- 
ry measure of the General Government, justice to 
every portion of the United States should be faith- 
fully observed. No free Government can stand 
without virtue in the people, and a lofty spirit of 
patriotism ; and if the sordid feelings of mere self- 
ishness shall usurp the place which ought to be 
filled by public spirit, the legislation of Congress 
will soon be converted into a scramble for person- 
al and sectional advantages. Under our free in- 
stitutions, the citizens of every quarter of our 



236 

country are capable of attaining a high degree of 
prosperity and happiness, without seeking to profit 
themselves at the expense of others ; and every 
such attempt must in the end fail to succeed, for 
the people in every part of the United States are 
too enlightened not to understand their own rights 
and interests, and to detect and defeat every ef- 
fort to gain undue advantages over them ; and 
when such designs arediscovered, it naturally pro- 
vokes resentments which cannot always be easily 
allayed. Justice, -full and ample justice, to every 
portion of the United States, should be the ruling 
principle of every freeman, and should guide the 
deliberations of every public body, whether it be 
state or national. 

It is well known that there have always been 
those amongst us who wish to enlarge the powers 
of the General Government ; and experience 
would seem to indicate that there is a tendency 
on the part of this Government to overstep the 
boundaries marked out for it by the constitution ; 
its legitimate authority is abundantly sufficient for 
all the purposes for which it was created ; and its 
powers being expressly enumerated, there can be 
no justification for claiming any thing beyond them. 
Every attempt to exercise powers beyond these 
limits should be promptly and firmly opposed. For 
one evil example will lead to other measures still 
more mischievous ; and is the principle of con- 
structive powers, or supposed advantages, or tem- 
porary circumstances, shall ever be permitted to 
justify the assumption of a power not given by the 
constitution, the General Government will before 
long absorb all the powers of legislation, and you 
will have, in effect, but one Cons lidated Govern- 
ment From the extent of our country, its diver- 



287 

sified interest, different pursuits, and different hab- 
its, it is too obvious for argument that a single 
consolidated Government would be wholly inade- 
quate to watch over and protect its interests ; and 
every friend of our institutions should be always 
prepared to maintain unimpaired and in full vigor, 
the rights and sovereignty of the States, and to con- 
fine the action of the General Government strictly 
to the sphere of its appropriate duties. 

There is, perhaps, no one of the powers confer- 
red on the Federal Government so liable to abuse 
as the taxing power. The most productive and 
convenient sources of revenue were necessarily 
given to it, that it might be able to perform the 
important duties imposed upon it ; and the taxes 
which it lays upon commerce being concealed 
from the real payer in the price of the article, they 
do not so readily attract the attention of the people 
as smaller sums demanded from them directly by 
the taxgatherer. But the tax imposed on goods 
enhances by so much the price of the commodity 
to the consumer ; and, as many of these duties 
are imposed on articles of necessity, which 
are daily used by the great body of the people, the 
money raised by these imposts is drawn from 
their pockets. Congress has no right, under the 
constitution, to take money from the people, un- 
less it is required to execute some one of the spe- 
cific powers intrusted to Government ; and if they 
raise more than is necessary for such purposes, it 
is an abuse of the power of taxation, and unjust 
and oppressive. .It may, indeed, happen, that 
the revenue will sometimes exceed the amount an- 
icipated wheu the taxes were laid. When, how- 
ever, this is ascertained, it is easy to reduce them ; 
and, in such a case, it is unquestionably the duty 
27* 



288 

of the Government to reduce them, for no circum- 
stances can justify it in assuming a power not 
given to it by the constitution, nor in taking away 
the money of the people when it is not needed for 
the legitimate wants of the Government. 

Plain as these principles may appear to be, you 
will find that there is a constant effort to induce 
the general government to go beyond the limits of 
its taxing power, and to impose unnecessary bur- 
thens upon the people. Many powerful interests 
are continually at work to procure heavy duties on 
commerce, and to swell the revenue beyond the 
real necessities of the public service ; and the 
country has already felt the injurious effects of 
their combined influence. They succeeded in 
obtaining a tariff of duties bearing most oppress- 
ively on the agricultural and laboring classes of 
society ; and producing a revenue that could not 
be usefully employed within the range of the pow- 
ers conferred upon Congress; and, in order to fas- 
ten up; >n the people this unjust and unequal sys- 
tem *of taxation, extravagant schemes of internal 
improvement were got up, in various quarters, to 
squander the money and purchase support. Thus, 
one unconstitutional measure was intended to be 
upheld by another, and the abuse of the power of 
taxation was to be maintained by usurping the 
power of expending the money in internal im- 
provements. You cannot have forgotten the se- 
vere struggle through which we passed, when the 
Executive Department of the Government, by its 
veto, endeavored to arrest this prodigal scheme of 
injustice, and to bring back the legislation of 
Congress to the boundaries prescribed by the 
Constitution. The good sense and practical judg- 
ment of the people, when the subject was brought 



269 

before them, sustained the course of the Execu- 
tive ; and this plan of unconstitutional expendi- 
ture for the purposes of corrupt influence is, I 
trust, finally overthrown. 

The result of this decision has been felt in the 
rapid extinguishment of the public debt, and the 
large accumulation of a surplus in the treasury, 
notwithstanding the tariff was reduced, and is 
now very far below the amount originally contem- 
plated by its advocates. But, rely upon it, the de- 
sign to collect an extravagant revenue, and to bur- 
then you with taxes beyond the economical wants 
of the Government, is not yet abandoned. The 
various interests which have combined together to 
impose a heavy tariff, and to produce an overflow- 
ing treasury, are too strong, and have too much at 
stake to surrender the contest. The corporations 
and wealthy individuals who are engaged in large 
manufacturing establishments, desire a high tariff 
to increase their gains. Designing politicians will 
support it, to conciliate their favor and to obtain 
the means of profuse expenditure, for the purpose 
of purchasing influence in other quarters ; and 
since the people have decided that the Federal 
Government cannot be permitted to employ its in- 
come in internal improvements, efforts will be 
made to seduce and mislead the citizens of the 
several States, by holding out to them the deceit- 
ful prospect of benefits to be derived from a sur- 
plus revenue collected by the General Govern- 
ment, and annually divided among the States. 
And if encouraged by these fallacious hopes, the 
States should disregard the principles of economy 
which ought to characterize every republican 
Government, and should indulge in lavish expen- 
ditures exceeding their resources, they will, before 



290 

long, find themselves oppressed with debts which 
they are unable to pay, and the temptation will be- 
come irresistible to. support a high tariff, in order 
to obtain a surplus for distribution. Do not allow 
yourselves, my fellow citizens, to be misled on 
this subject. The Federal Government cannot 
collect a surplus for such purposes, without violat- 
ing the principles of the constitution, and assum- 
ing powers which have not been granted. It is, 
moreover, a system of injustice, and, if persisted 
in, will inevitably lead to corruption, and must 
end in ruin. The surplus revenue will be drawn 
from the pockets of the people, from the farmer, 
the mechanic and the laboring classes of society; 
but who will receive it when distributed among 
the States, where it is to be disposed of by lead- 
ing State politicians who have friends to favor, 
and political partisans to gratify ? It will certain- 
ly not be returned to those who paid it, and who 
have most need of it, and are honestly entitled to 
it. There is but one safe rule, and that is, to con- 
fine the General Government rigidly within the 
sphere of its appropriate duties. It has no pow- 
er to raise a revenue, or impose taxes, except for 
the purposes enumerated in the constitution ; and 
if its income is found to exceed these wants, it 
should be forthwith reduced, and the burthens of 
the people so far lightened. 

In reviewing the conflicts which have taken 
place between different interests in the United 
States, and the policy pursued since the adoption 
of our present form of government, we find noth- 
ing that has produced such deep-seated evil as the 
course of legislation in relation to the currency. 
The constitution of the United States unquestion- 
ably intended to secure to the people a circulating 



291 

medium of gold and silver. But the establish- 
ment of a national bank by Congress, with the 
privilege of issuing paper money receivable in the 
payment of the public dues, and the unfortunate 
course of legislation in the several States upon 
the same subject, drove from general circulation 
the constitutional currency, and substituted one 
of paper in its place. 

It was not easy for men engaged in the ordina- 
ry pursuits of business, whose attention had not 
been particularly drawn to the subject, to foresee 
all the consequences of a currency exclusively of 
paper : and we ought not, on that account, to be 
surprised at the facility with which laws were ob- 
tained to carry into effect the paper system. Hon- 
est, and even enlightened men, are sometimes 
misled by the specious and plausible statements of 
the designing. But experience has now proved 
the mischiefs and dangers of a paper currency, 
and it rests with you to determine whether the 
proper remedy shall be applied. 

The paper system being founded on public con- 
fidence, and having of itself no intrinsic value, it 
is liable to great and sudden fluctuations ; there- 
by rendering property insecure, and the wages of 
labor unste idy and uncertain. The corporations 
which create the paper money cannot be relied 
upon to keep the circulating medium uniform in 
amount. In time of prosperity, when confidence 
is high, they are tempted, by the prospect of gain, 
or by the influence of those who hope to profit by 
it, to extend their issues of paper beyond the 
bounds of discretion and the reasonable demands 
of business. And when these issues have been 
pushed on, from day to day, until public confi- 
dence is at length shaken, then a re-action takes 



•292 

place, and they immediately withdraw the credits 
they have given ; suddenly curtail their issues, 
and produce an unexpected and ruinous contrac- 
tion of the circulating medium, which is felt by 
the whole community. The banks, by this means, 
save themselves, and the mischeivous consequen- 
ces of their imprudence or cupidity are visited up- 
on the public. Nor does the evil stop here. 
These ebbs and flows in the currency, and these 
indiscreet extensions of credit, naturally engen- 
der a spirit of speculation injurious to the habits 
and character of the people. We have already 
seen its effects in the wild spirit of speculation in 
the public lands, and various kinds of stock, 
which within the last year or two, seized upon 
such a multitude of our citizens, and threatened 
to pervade all classes of society, and to withdraw 
their attention from the sober persuits of honest 
industry. It is not by encouraging this spirit that 
we shall best preserve public virtue and promote 
the true interests of our country. But if your 
currency continues as exclusively paper as it now 
is, it will foster this eager desire to amass wealth 
without labor ; it will multiply the number of de- 
pendants on bank accommodations and bank fa- 
vors; the temptation to obtain money at any sacri- 
fice will become stronger and stronger, and inevi- 
tably lead to corruption, which will find its way 
into your public councils, and destroy, at no dis- 
tant day, the purity of your Government. Some 
of the evils which arise from this system of pam- 
per, press with peculiar hardship upon the class of 
society least able to bear it. A portion of this 
currency frequently becomes depreciated or worth- 
less, and all of it is easily counterfeited, in such 
a manner as to require peculiar skill aud much 



293 

experience to distinguish the counterfeit from the 
genuine note. These frauds are generally perpe- 
trated in the smaller notes, which are used in the 
daily transactions of ordinary business; and the 
losses occasioned by them are consequently thrown 
upon the laboring classes of society, whose situa- 
tion and pursuits put it out of their power to 
guard themselves from these impositions, and 
whose daily wages are necessary for their subsist- 
ence. It is the duty of every Government so to 
regulate its currency as to protect this numerous 
class as far as practicable from the impositions of 
avarice and fraud. It is more especially the duty 
of the United States, where the Government is 
emphatically the Government of the people, and 
where this respectable portion of our citizens are 
so proudly distinguished from the laboring classes 
of all other nations, by their independent spirit, 
their love of liberty, their intelligence, and their 
high tone of moral character. Their industry, in 
peace, is the source of our wealth ; and their bra- 
very, in war, has covered us with glory; and the 
Government of the United States will but ill dis- 
charge its duties if it leaves them a prey to such 
dishonest impositions. Yet it is evident that 
their interests cannot be effectually protected, un- 
less silver and gold are restored to circulation. 

These views alone, of the paper currency, are 
sufficient to call for immediate reform ; but there 
is another consideration which should still more 
strongly press it upon your attention. 

Recent events have proved that the paper mo- 
ney system of this country may be used as an en- 
gine to undermine your free institutions ; and that 
those who desire to engross all power in the hands 
of the few, and to govern by corruption or force, 



294 

are aware of its power, and prepared to employ it. 
Your banks now furnish your only circulating 
medium, and money is plenty or scarce, accord- 
ing to the quantity of notes issued by them. 
While they have capitals not greatly dispropor- 
tioned to each other, they are competitors in busi- 
ness, and no one of thern can exercise dominion 
over the rest ; and although, in the present state 
of the currency, these banks may and do operate 
injuriously upon the habits of business, the pecu- 
niary concerns, and the moral tone of society, yet, 
from their number and dispersed situation, they 
cannot combine for the purposes of political influ- 
ence ; and whatever may be the dispositions of 
some of them, their power of mischief must ne- 
cessarily be confined to a narrow space, and felt 
only in their immediate neighborhoods. 

But when the charter of the Bank of the Uni- 
ted States was obtained from Congress, it perfect- 
ed the schemes of the paper system, and gave to 
its advocates the positions they have struggled to 
obtain, from the commencement of the Federal 
Government down to the present hour. The im- 
mense capital, and peculiar privileges bestowed 
upon it, enabled it to exercise despotic sway over 
the other banks in every part of the country. 
From its superior strength, it could seriously injure, 
if not destroy, the business of any one of them 
which might incur its resentment ; and it openly 
claimed for itself the power of regulating the 
currency throughout the United States In other 
words, it asserted (and it undoubtedly possessed) 
the power to make money plenty or scarce, at its 
pleasure, at any time, and in any quarter of the 
Union, by controlling the issues of other banks, 
and permitting an expansion, or compelling a 



295 

general contraction, of the circulating medium, 
according to its own will. The other banking 
institutions were sensible of its strength, and 
they soon generally became its obedient instru- 
ments, ready, at all times, to execute its man- 
dates ; and with the banks necessarily went, also, 
that numerous class of persons in our commercial 
cities, who depend altogether on bank credits for 
their solvency and means of business ; and who 
are, therefore, obliged, for their own safety, to 
propitiate the favor of the money power by distin- 
guished zeal and devotion in its service. 

The result of the ill-advised legislation which 
established this great monopoly was, to concen- 
trate the whole money power of the Union, with 
its boundless means of corruption, and its numer- 
ous dependants, under the direction and com- 
mand of one acknowledged head ; thus organ- 
izing this particular interest as one body, and se- 
curing to it unity and concert of action through- 
out the United States, and enabling it to bring for- 
ward, upon any occasion, its entire and undivided 
strength to support or defeat any measure of the 
Government. In the hands of this formidable 
power, thus perfectly organized, was also placed 
unlimited dominion over the amount of the circu- 
lating medium, giving it the power to regulate the 
value of property and the fruits of labor in every 
quarter of the Union ; and to bestow prosperity, 
or bring ruin, upon any city or section of the 
country, as might best comport with its own inte- 
rest or policy. 

We are not left to conjecture how the monied 
power, thus organized, and with such a weapon 
in its hands would be likely to use it. The dis- 
tress and alarm which pervaded and agitated the 
28 



296 

whole country, when the Bank of the United States 
waged war upon the people, in order to compel 
them to submit to its demands, cannot yet be for- 
gotten. The ruthless and unsparing temper with 
which whole cities and communities were impov- 
erished and ruined, and a scene of cheerful pros- 
perity suddenly changed into one of gloom and 
despondency, ought to be indelibly impressed on 
the memory of the people of the United States. — 
If such was its power in a time of peace, what 
would it not have been in a season of war, with an 
enemy at your doors? No nation but the freemen 
of the United States could have come out victori- 
ous from such a contest; yet, if you had not con- 
quered, the Government would have passed from 
the hands of the many to the few : and this organ- 
ized money power, from its secret conclave, would 
have dictated the choice of your highest officers, 
and compelled you to make peace or war, as best 
suited their wishes. The forms of your govern- 
ment might, for a time, have remained ; but its 
living spirit would have departed from it. 

The distress and sufferings inflicted on the peo- 
ple by the Bank, are some of the fruits of that sys- 
tem of policy which is continually striving to en- 
large the authority of the Federal Government be- 
yond the limits fixed by the Constitution. The 
powers enumerated in that instrument do not con- 
fer on Congress the right to establish such a cor- 
poration as the Bank of the United States, and the 
evil consequences which followed may warn us of 
the danger of departing from the true rule of con- 
struction, and of permiting temporary circumstan- 
ces, or the hope of better promoting the public 
welfare to influence, in any degree, our decisions 
upon the extent of the authority of the General 



297 

Government. Let us abide by the Constitution as 
it is written, or amend it in the constitutional 
mode if it is found to be defective. 

The severe lessons of experience will, I doubt 
not, be sufficient to prevent Congress from again 
chartering such a monopoly, even if the Constitu- 
tion did not present an insuperable objection to it. 
But you must remember, my fellow citizens, that 
eternal vigilance by the people is the price of lib- 
erty ; and that you must pay the price if you wish 
to secure the blessing. It behoves you, therefore, 
to be watchful in your States, as well as in the 
Federal Government. The power which the mon- 
ied interest can exercise, when concentrated un- 
der a single head, and with our present system of 
currency, was sufficiently demonstrated in the 
struggle made by the Bank of the United States. 
Defeated in the General Government, the same 
class of intriguers and politicians will now resort 
to the States, and endeavor to obtain there the 
same organization, which they failed to perpetuate 
in the Union ; and with specious and deceitful 
plans of public advantages, and State interests and 
State pride, they will endeavor to establish, in the 
different States, one monied institution with over- 
grown capital, and exclusive privilpges sufficient 
to enable it to control the operations of the other 
banks. 

Such an institution will be pregnant with the 
same evils produced by the Bank of the United 
States, although its sphere of action is more con- 
fined ; and in the State in which it is chartered, 
the money power will be able to embody its whole 
strength, and to move together with undivided 
force, to accomplish any object it may wish to at- 
tain. You have already had abundant evidence 



29S 

of its power to inflict injury upon the agricultural, 
mechanical, and laboring classes of society ; and 
over those whose engagements in trade or specu- 
lation render them dependant on bank facilities, 
the dominion of the State monopoly will be abso- 
lute, and their obedience unlimited. With such a 
bank and paper currency, the money power would, 
in a few years, govern the State and control its 
measures ; and if a sufficient number of States can 
be induced to create such establishments, the time 
will soon come when it will again take the field 
against the United States, and succeed in perfect- 
ing and perpetuating its organization by a charter 
from Congress. 

It is one of the serious evils of our present sys- 
tem of banking, that it enables one class of socie- 
ty — and that by no means a numerous one — by 
its control over the currency, to act injuriously 
upon the interests of all the other, and to exercise 
more than its just proportion of influence in politi- 
cal affairs. The agricultural, the mechanical, and 
the laboring classes, have little or no share in the 
direction of the great monied corporations ; and 
from their habits and nature of their pursuits, they 
are incapable of forming extensive combinations 
to act together with united force. Such concert 
of action may sometimes be produced in a single 
city, or in a small district of country, by means of 
personal communication with each other ; but they 
have no regular or- active correspondence with those 
who are engaged in similar pursuits in distant pla- 
ces ; they have but little patronage to give to the 
press, and exercise but a small share of influence 
over it; they have no crowd of dependants 
about them, who grow rich without labor, by their 
countenance and favor, and who are, therefore, 



299 

always ready to execute their wishes. The plant- 
er* the fanner, the mechanic, and the laborer, all 
know that their success depends upon their own 
industry and economy, and that they must not ex^ 
pect to become suddenly rich by the fruits of their 
toil. 

Yet these classes of society form the great body 
of the people of the United States ; they are the 
bone and sinew of the country ; men who love lib- 
erty and desire nothing but equal rights and equal 
laws, and who, moreover, hold the great mass of 
our national wealth, although it is distributed in 
moderate amounts among the millions of freemen 
who possess it. But with overwhelming numbers 
and wealth on their side, they are in constant dan- 
ger of losing their fair influence in the Govern- 
ment, and with difficulty maintain their just rights 
against the incessant efforts daily made to encroach 
upon them. The mischief springs from the pow- 
er which the monied interest derives from a paper 
currency, which they are able to control ; from the 
multitude of corporations, with exclusive privile- 
ges, which they have succeeded in obtaining in the 
different States, and which are employed altogeth- 
er for their benefit ; and unless you become more 
watchful in your States, and check this spirit of 
monopoly and thirst for exclusive privileges, you 
will, in the end, find that the most important pow- 
ers of Government, have been given or bartered 
away, and the control over your dearest interests 
has passed into the hands of these corporations. 

The paper money system, and its natural asso- 
ciates, monopoly and exclusive privileges, have al- 
ready struck their roots deep in the soil, and it will 
require all your efforts to check its growth, and to 
eradicate the evil. The men who profit by the 
28* 



300 

abuses, and desire to perpetuate them, will con 
tinue to besiege the hall of legislation in the Gen 
eral Government as well as in the States, and will 
seek, by every artifice, to mislead and deceive tha 
public servants. It is to yourselves that you must 
look for safety, and the means of guarding and 
perpetuating your free institutions. In your hands 
is rightfully placed the sovereignty of the country, 
and to you every one placed in authority is ulti- 
mately responsible. It is always in your power to 
see that the wishes of the people are carried into 
faithful execution, and their will, when once made 
known, must sooner or later be obeyed. And 
while the people remain, as I trust they ever will, 
uncorrupted and uncorruptible, and continue watch- 
ful and jealous of their rights, the government is 
safe, and the cause of freedom will continue to 
triumph over all its enemies. 

But it will require steady and persevering exer- 
tions on your part to rid yourself of the iniquities 
and mischiefs of the paper system, and to check 
the spirit of monopoly and other abuses which 
have sprung up with it, and of which it is the main 
support. So many interests are united to resist 
all reform on this subject, that you must not hope 
the conflict will be a short one, nor success easy. 
My humble efforts have not been spared, during 
my administration of the Government, to restore 
the constitutional currency of gold and silver ; and 
something, I trust, has been done towards the ac- 
complishment of this most desirable object. But 
enough yet remains to require all your energy and 
perseverance. The power, however, is in your 
hands, and the remedy must and will be applied, 
if you determine upon it. 

While I am thus endearoring to pres* upon your 



301 

attention the principle* which I deem of vital im* 
portance in the domestic concerns of the country, 
I ought not to pass over, without notice, the im- 
portant considerations which should govern your 
policy towards foreign powers. It is, unquestion- 
ably, our true interest to cultivate the most friend- 
ly understanding with every nation, and to avoid, 
by every honorable means, the calamities of war ; 
and we shall best attain this object by frankness 
and sincerity in our foreign intercourse by the 
prompt and faithful execution of treaties, and by 
justice and impartiality in our conduct to all. But 
no nation, however desirous of peace, can hope to 
escape occasional collisions with other powers ; 
and the soundest dictates of policy require that 
we should place ourselves in a condition to assert 
our rights, if a resort to force should ever become 
necessary. 

Our local situation, our long line of sea-coast, 
indented by numerous bays, with deep rivers op- 
ening into the interior, as well as our extended 
and still increasing commerce, point to the navy 
as our natural means of defence. It will, in the 
end, be found to be the cheapest and most effect- 
ual ; and now is the time, in a season of peace, 
and with an overflowing revenue, that we can, 
year after year, add to its strength, without in- 
creasing the burdens of the people. It is your 
true policy. For your navy will not only protect 
your rich and flourishing commerce in distant 
sens, but will enable you to reach and annoy the 
enemy, and will give to defence its greatest effici- 
ency, by meeting danger at a distance from home. 
It is impossible, by any line of fortifications, to 
guard every point from attack against a hostile 
force advancing from the ocean and selecting it* 



302 

object : but they are indispensable to protect cities 
from bombardment ; dock yards and naval arse- 
nals from destruction ; to give shelter to merchant 
vessels in time of war, and to single ships or weak- 
er squadrons when pressed by superior force. — 
Fortifications of this description cannot be too 
soon completed and armed, and placed in a con- 
dition of the most perfect preparation. The abun- 
dant means we now possess cannot be applied in 
any manner more useful to the country ; and 
when this is done, and our naval force sufficiently 
strengthened, and our militia armed, we need not 
fear that any nation will wantonly insult us, or 
needlessly provoke hostilities. We shall more 
certainly preserve peace, when it is well under- 
stood that we are prepared for war. 

In presenting to you, my fellow citizens, these 
parting counsels, I have brought before you the 
leading principles upon which I endeavored to ad- 
minister the Government in the high office with 
which you twice honored me. Knowing that the 
path of freedom is continually beset by enemies 
who often assume the disguise of friends, I have 
devoted the last hours of my public life to warn 
you of the dangers. The progress of the United 
States, under our free and happy institutions, has 
surpassed the most sanguine hopes of the founders 
of the republic. Our growth has been rapid be- 
yond all former example, in numbers, in wealth, 
in knowledge, and all the useful arts which con- 
tribute to the comiorts and convenience of man ; 
and from the earliest ages of history to the present 
day, there never have been thirteen millions of 
people associated together in one political body, 
who enjoyed so much freedom and happiness as 
the people of the United States. You have no 



303 

longer any cause to fear danger from abroad ; your 
strength and power are well known throughout 
the civilized world, as well as the high and gal- 
lant bearing of your sons. It is from within, 
among yourselves, from cupidity, from corruption, 
from disappointed ambition, and inordinate thirst 
for power, that factions will be formed and liberty 
endangered. 

It is against such designs, whatever disguise 
the actors may assume, that you have especially 
to guard yourselves. You have the highest of 
human trusts committed to your care. Provi- 
dence has showered on this favored land blessings 
without number, and has chosen you as the guar- 
dians of freedom to preserve it for the benefit of 
the human race. May He, who holds in his hands 
the destinies of nations, make you worthy of the 
favors He has bestowed, and enable you, with 
pure hearts and pure hands, and sleepless vigi- 
lance, to guard and defend to the end of time the 
great charge he has committed to your keeping. 

My own race is nearly run ; advanced age and 
failing health warn me that before long I must 
pass beyond the reach of human events, and 
cease to feel the vicissitudes of human affairs. I 
thank God that my life has been spent in a land 
of liberty, and that he has given me a heart to love 
my country with the affection of a son. And fill- 
ed with gratitude for your constant and unwaver- 
ing kindness, I bid you a last and affectionate 
farewell. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 
March 4, 1837. 



304 

REMARKS. 

This Farewell Address, from General An- 
drew Jackson to the people of the United States, 
is worthy of a place in every man's library, in ev- 
ery man's understanding, memory, and affections ; 
and ought to be handed down to the latest genera- 
tion, as Republicanism in principle, in experiment 
of more than fifty years ; amidst internal foes, 
foreign invaders, wars and tumults. The repub- 
lic described here has stood firm, while the winds 
blew, the rain descended, and the floods beat upon 
it, the house amidst all these has stood unmoved, 
being founded on the four grand pillars of Repub- 
licanism LIBERTY, EQUALITY, UNITY and PEACE. 

The rage of the Aristocracy against the author 
of this address, is only their rage against our gov- 
ernment in the man whom the people delight to 
honor. 

There is no one man, at the head of any nation, 
where the protection of heaven is more manifest, 
than in the late President of the United States ; 
especially from the battle of New-Orleans, till the 
fourth of March, 1837. 

The battle of New-Orleans, filled every mind 
with astonishment, when the news came, that so 
many thousands were slain of the British army, 
and only a few individuals on the American side, 
from six to ten. This victory raised up Andrew 
Jackson to the views of the whole nation ; as a 
very extraordinary man. It was then thought by 
many that he was raised up of God, to do more 
and greater things for the Americans ; which has 
since been done. From that time he was the man 
of my choice for chief magistrate. 

One striking proof of his being raised up for the 
good of the nation was that the opposers of a "re- 



305 

publican government" were soon his opposers. — 
Every plan was laid to render him odious to the 
people ; but all in vain. Three times he was 
chosen by the people, having the highest num- 
ber of votes of any one, (99) and twice more 
votes than all others. He was represented as a 
military chieftain, a murderer, a cruel, hardheart- 
ed, blood thirsty wretch, a kitchen president, and 
many other hard names. He was tried as a 
transgressor, fined, &,c. This did him no hurt. 
He was preserved and carried through all these 
things, and when two pistols were directed at him 
to take his life, powder would not burn to his de- 
struction. 

When his proclamation to the people of South 
Carolina was sent out, his friends and foes ap- 
proved of it, and in Faneuil Hall, H. G. Otis, 
Webster, and others, spoke in his praise a short 
time. Mr. Otis said the proclamation ought to be 
sounded from Maine to Florida, and from the At- 
lantic to the Rocky Mountains. This was like 
the triumphing of the wicked (short,) and the joy 
of the Hypocrite, but for a moment. 

When the President was in Boston, the leaders 
of the aristocracy waited on him, something like 
Mordecai's waiter, (Hainan) crying — thus shall it 
be done to the man whom the people delight to 
honor. He was presented at Cambridge, with 
the title L. L. D. — and what more 1 At Salem, 
he was invited to sign his name on a certain book ; 
He signed. Afterwards, it is said, his name was 
" expunged" and some one wrote after it — good ! 
I believe this class said as little in his favor after 
he returned to Washington, as Hainan did after 
lie returned home from his morning walk before 
Mordecai, in the streets of Shushan. 



306 

His last deeds, in obtaining the French claims ; 
settling difference at home and abroad ; writing 
this Farewell Address, describing the enemies of 
the republic, warning the people against them ; 
waiting on his successor to the chair ; and pub- 
licly taking leave of that body forever, has raised 
him still higher in the minds of the people than 
he ever was before. Millions now go with him 
in prayer for his health and life to his place of re- 
tirement, saying in their hearts, or aloud — long 
live Andrew Jackson. 

The condition of Mordecai, the Jew, in Persia, 
mentioned in the book of Esther, is so near like 
that of General Jackson, that I choose here to in- 
sert it. 

11 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king 
Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and ac- 
cepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking 
the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all 
his seed." Esther x. 3. 

We say in truth — General Andrew Jackson is 
next to what Washington was — and great among 
the republicans of the old school ; the whigs of 
seventy-five ; accepted of the multitude of his fel- 
low citizens, seeking the wealth of the United 
States, and speaking peace to this whole nation, 
in his Farewell Address to them. 



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